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1
aryland
99
9, No. 17
iMued October, 1962
I L
U
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Y
Washingtoii County
Maryland
OUR SOIL * OUR STRENOTH
NOTE TO THE REAPER
The paper in this volume is brittle or the
inner margins are extremely narrow.
We have bound or rebound the volume
utilizing the best means possible.
PLEASE HANDLE WITH CARE
General Bookbinding Co.. Chesterland, Ohio
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Soil Conservation Service
In cooperation with
MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
HOW TO USE THE SOIL SURVEY REPORT
THIS SOIL SURVEY of Washington
County will help farmers in planning
the kind of managenient that will protect
their soils and provide good yields; it
will assist engineers in selecting sites for
roads, buildings, ponds, drainage and
irrigation installations, and other struc-
tures; it will assist those interested in
establishing or improving woodland; and
it will add to our fund of knowledge about
soils.
In making this survey, soil scientists
examined the soils and noted features that
would affect the suitability of the soils
for farming, woodland management, en-
gineering, residential developments, and
other uses. The scientists plotted the
boimdaries of the different soils on aerial
photographs. Then cartographers pre-
pared from the photographs the detailed
soil maps that are at the back of this re-
f)ort. Fields, woods, roads, and other
andmarks can be seen on the maps.
Locating the soils
On the soil map, the boundaries of each
soil are outlined and each kind of soil is
identified by a symbol. Use the index to
map sheets to find out which sheet of the
soil map shows the area you wish to study.
The map legend tells which soil each sym-
bol stands for. All areas marked with the
same symbol are the same kind of soil,
wherever they appear on the map. Sup-
pose, for example, an area located on the
map has the symbol WbB2. The legend
shows that this symbol identifies Waynes-
boro gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded. This soil and all others
mapped in the county are described in the
section "Description of the Soils."
Finding information
Different parts of the report will be of
special interest to different groups of
readers.
Farmers and those who work with
farmers can get information about the
soils from the section "Description of the
Soils," and suggestions for agricultural
management from the section "Capability
Groups of Soils." From the section "Esti-
mated Yields," they can find what yields
can be expected from each kind of soil
under a specified level of management.
Those interested in woodland manage-
ment will find suggestions in the section
"Use of Soils for Woodland."
Engineers can refer to the subsection
"Engineering Uses of Soils" in which are
summarized characteristics that affect the
suitability of the soils for highways,
sewage disposal systems, and other en-
gineering purposes.
County and community planners will
find this report helpful in selecting sites
for industrial and residential develop-
ments and sites to be reserved for public
recreation. So far as practical, areas not
well suited to agriculture should be select-
ed for these purposes. Information in the
following subsections will be useful:
"Capabihty Groups of Soils"; "Use of
Soils for Woodland" ; "Engineering Uses
of Soils"; and "Use of the Soil Survey
in Community Planning."
Persons interested in science will find
in the section "Formation and Classifica-
tion of Soils" information about the par-
ent material of the soils and the processes
that transformed them into soils. They
will also find a discussion of the classifica-
tion of the soils of the county into great
soil groups.
Terms that are likely to be unfamiliar
to some readers are defined in the Glos-
sary. The "Guide to Mapping Units,"
which is at the end of the report with
the soil maps, shows the reader where in
the report to find information about each
particular soil.
★ ★ ★ ★
This soil survey was made as a part of
the technical assistance furnished by the
Soil Conservation Service to^ the Wash-
ington County Soil Conservation District.
The soils in the county were mapped
during the period 1940 to 1959, and field-
work for the survey was reviewed and
revised in 1959. Unless otherwise indicat-
ed, all statements in the report refer to
conditions at the time fieldwork was in
progress.
U.S. 60VERNMENT PRINTINS OFFICE: 1962
For ssAa by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Qovemment Printing OflSce Washington 25, D.C.
m Nc
Contents
PaKc
General naluro of (he area I
Local ion anil extent 1
I'liysioKrnpliN' and relief 1
Drainage 2
Settlement and population 2
Transportation and markets 2
Agriculture . 2
Crops 2
Pastures 2
Livestock and poultry '-i
Types and sizes of farms '-i
Farm tenure 3
Farm power and mechanical equipment 3
How the soil survey was made 3
Soils and their relation to topography 5
General soil areas 5
Well-drained, stony and very stony soils 5
1. Dekalb-Lcetonia-Edgemont-Laidig association-. 5
2. Dekalb- Hightield association 5
3. Hiifhfield- Fauquier association 5
Well to excessively drained, shallow, medium-textured
soils 5
4. Berks- Monte vallo association 7
5. Hazel-Chandler association 7
6. Talladega association 7
7. Litz-Teas association 7
8. Calvin-Berks-Litz-Montevallo association 7
Moderately well to well drained, deep, medium-textured
soils 7
9. Holston-Monongahela-Huntington-Lindside asso-
ciation 7
Well-drained, deep, medium-textured soils 8
10. Braddock-Thurmont-Edgemont-Laidig associa-
tion 8
11. Waynesboro association 8
12. Fauquier-Myersville-Highfield association 8
13. Murrill association 8
14. Hagerstown-Duffield-Frankstown association 8
Description of the soils 9
Ashton series 13
Atkins series 14
Benevola series 14
Berks series 15
Braddock series 16
Brinkerton series 17
Buchanan series 17
Calvin series 18
Chandler series 20
Chewacla series 20
Congaree series 21
Cory don series 21
Dekalb series 22
Duffield series 23
Dunniore series 24
Dunning series 24
Edgemont series 25
Elliber series 26
Eroded land 26
Etowah series 27
Fauqiuer series 28
Frankstown series 29
Frankstown and Duffield soils 29
Frederick series 30
Hagerstown series 31
Hazel series 33
Highfield series 34
Holston series 34
De.'cription of the soils — Continued
Hunt inuton series 35
Laidig series 30
Landisburg .series 37
LargcMit series 38
Leadval(! .series 38
Leetonia series 3S
Lehew series 39
Lindside series 39
Litz series . 10
Melvin series II
Monongahela series 41
Montevallo series _ 42
Murrill series 43
Myersville series 44
Philo series 45
Poi)e series 46
Rocky eroded land 46
Rohrersville series 46
Stony land 47
Talladega series T 47
Teas series . 48
Terrace escarpments 48
Thurmont series 48
Trego series >- 49
Tyler series 49
Warners series 50
Waynesboro series 50
Wehadkee series 51
Westmoreland series 52
Estimated yields 52
Use and management of soils 62
Capability groups of soils 62
Management by capability units 64
Use of soils for woodland 81
Relationships of soils and forests 82
Reforestation 82
Soil groups for forestry 82
Engineering uses of soils 84
Engineering descriptions and physical properties 84
Soil interpretations for engineering 84
Soil groups for irrigation 85
Soil groups for sewage disposal 113
Use of the soil survey in community planning 121
Formation and classification of soils 122
Factors of soil formation 122
Parent material 122
Climate 122
Living organisms 123
Topography 123
Time 1 124
Mor])hology of soils 124
Classification of soils by great soil groups 125
Sols Bruns Acides 125
Podzols 125
(iray-Brown Podzolic soils 125
Red- Yellow Podzolic soils 126
Reddish-Brown Lateritic soils 126
Planosols 126
Humic Gley soils 126
Low-IIumic Gley soils 126
Lithosols 127
Alluvial soils 127
Literature cited 127
Glossary 127
Guide to mapping units 130
Series 1959, No. 17
Issued October 1962
SOIL SURVEY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
SURVEY BY BOYD D. (JILBEKT, MEIIL F. HERSHBE11(;ER, R. S. LONG. EARLE D. MATTHEWS, RALPH E. RUBLE, AND
GLENN V. WILSON, SOU. SCIENTISTS, SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE
REPORT BY EARLE D. MATTHEWS
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN COOPERATION WITH MARYLAND AGRK ULTURAL
EXPERIMENT STATION
General Nature of the Area
AA'asliiiiotoii leads the (■ounties of JNIarvlaiid in fruit
l)i'<)(luction. Jt ranks fifth in the kState in dairviu<; and
sixth in livestock other than dairyina'. In 1954, Wasli-
inoton Comity ranked fourth in the State in value oF all
farm products sold (6')/ It has a well-balanced and
prosperous agricultural economy. There may he many
reasons for this, but one of the most important is the
large proportion of highly pi'odnctive and well-managed
soils.
The county is well suited to intensive agriculture. More
than 6() [)ercent of the acreage — about 178,0()() acres — is
suitable for regular cultivation. About 15 percent — i5,-
000 acres — is more limited but is suitable for some cul-
tivation. About 12 percent — 35,000 acres — is not well
suited to crops but is good for pasture. The remaining
13 percent of the county is mostly rough, very rocky or
stony, and in some places severely eroded. Much of it is
mountainous and is suitable for no more intensive use
than forestry. About 1 percent of the county is so steep
and stony that even forest management would be uneco-
nomical and impractical.
Washington County is in the west-central part of
Maryland. Its climate is favorable for general farming,
li^'estock and dairy farming, and fruit production. Its
broad limestone valley is one of the best agricultural
areas in the East. However, there has been some trend
toward suburban development, particularly around Ha-
gerstown, the county seat and lai'gest city, where con-
siderable industrialization has occurred.
Location and Extent
Washington County (fig. 1) is in the narrowest part
of the western arm of the State, where it is only a very
few miles across Maryland from Pennsylvania "to West
Virginia. The county is narrow in the middle, somewhat
enlarged to the west, and greatly enlarged to the east.
It is bounded on the west by Allegany County, on the
east by Frederick County, on the north by Pennsylvania
along the Mason-Dixon line, and on the south by the
Potomac River. To the south, across the Potomac. Wash-
ington County faces parts of both Virginia and West
^Numbers in italics in pareiitlieses refer to Literature Cited,
page 127.
Figure 1. — Location of Washington County in Maryland.
Virginia. The land area is about -IGi square miles, or
295,680 acres. This is the eighth lai'gest county in the
State, and it also ranks eighth in the proportion of land
occupied by farms (0).
Physiography and Relief
Washington County includes part of the western slope
of the Blue Ridge; the broad Hagerstown Valley, which
is part of the Great Limestone Valley system of the
Eastern States; and a part of the Appalachian ^lountain
system. The Hagerstown Valley forms the eastern and
central parts of the county, between the Blue Ridge and
the Appalachian ridges and valleys. The highest point
in the county is the crest of Quirauk Mountain of the
Blue Ridge, which has an elevation of 2,1-15 feet. The
Blue Ridge is steep. The Appalachian part of the coun-
ty is a series of narrow ridges, which extend in a gen-
eral northeast -southwest direction and are separated by
narrow valleys. In the Appalachian area there are three
outstanding ridges: Bear Pond Mountain at 2,000 feet,
Fairview Mountain at 1,700 feet, and Sideling Hill at
1,600 feet.
The Hagerstown Valley occupies more than half of the
county. It ranges in elevation from about 300 feet near
the Potomac River to about (iOO feet at the Pennsylvania
line. The valley tloor is nearly level to rolling, with some
local hills and ridges.
1
2
SOIL SUIUKY SKKIKS 1959. NO. 17
Along the streams :uul rivers of the county, there are
large areas of alluvial terraces and flood plains. The
flood plains are nearly level and lie just above the normal
stages of the streams. The terraces are older flood plains,
now considerably above the streams and rivers.
Drainage
Washington County is entirely within the drainage sys-
tem of the l^otoniac Kiver and is traversed by a number
of streams that flow generally southward. The most im-
l)ortant of these are Israel Creek, Antietam Creek, Little
Antietam Creek, JMarsh Run, Downey Branch, Lanes
Run, Conococheague Creek and its tributaries. Licking
C^reek, Tonoloway Creek, and Little Tonoloway Creek.
Another important stream is Sideling Hill Creek, which
forms the boundary with Allegany ("ounty.
From the standpoint of both soils and land conditions,
Washington County is genei-ally well drained. Some
poorly drained and very ])0()rly drained areas exist, but
they are small and generally unim])ortant. There are no
true swamps or marshes in the county.
Settlement and Population
Agriculture
The original settlers of Washington County came
mostly from other parts of the colonies and were of
English, Scotch, and Swiss descent. There were also
some settlers from Alsace and other jiarts of northern
France. Later immigrants included pei'sons of (lerman,
Dutch, and Scotch-Irish nationality. Some farms were
established in the county by 1735.
The county, which at first included all of western
jNIaryland, was created in 1776. By 1800, the county was
comi)arati vely well settled, with connnercial centers at
Hagerstown and Williamsport. Early industry included
many mills along Conococheague Creek and Antietam
Creek.
In 1790, the population of Washington (^ountv was
15,822. By 1820, it was 23,720. In 1910. the total popvda-
tion of the county was 49,(517 of which two-thirds was
rural. The population of the county in 1950 was 78,880.
The estimated population of the county in 1955 was
84,181. The official census of 1900 should" show an addi-
tional increase. The population of Hagerstown in 1950
was 36,260.
Transportation and Markets
Washington County has excellent transportation facili-
ties. Federal and interstate highways serve nearly all
parts of the county and connect the county with other
important areas. There is a good network of paved
county and State roads and other all-weather roads. Rail-
roads serving the county are the Baltimore and Ohio,
the Western Maryland, the Norfolk and Western, and
the Pennsylvania. Hagerstown has air-transportation
facilities.
Many agricultural products are marketed within the
county. Other markets of importance are Baltimore:
Washington, D.C. ; and Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Har-
risburg, and Lancaster in Pennsylvania.
Large areas of fertile and responsive soils and a tem-
perate climate with faii'ly well distributed i-aiiifall and
a fairly long growing season are fa\()ral)le to agriculture
in Washington County. Most of the soils ai-e well suited
to general farming and to livestock production, and some
soils are especially well suited to fruit farming. Agricul-
ture is dixei-sified, aud the economic level of agi-icultui'e is
high.
In the following jjages, facts about crops grown in
the county, pastures, livestock and poultry, types and
sizes of fai-uis, farm tenure, aiul farm power and me-
chanical e(|uipment are discussed. The statistics used are
from reports puhlislied by the I '.S. Bureau of the Census.
Crops
Data from the census of 1954 on acreages of the most
important held crops, numbers of fruit trees, and num-
bers of berry farms are given in table 1. In 1954, the most
extensiv^e field crop in the county was corn for grain.
Other crops are wheat for grain; clover, timothy, and
mixed hay; and alfalfa. Outstanding in the county are
the orchard crops; Washington County leads the State
in production of apples, peaches, plums, and cherries.
( I rapes, strawl)erries, and miscellaneous berries are also
important crops. The total croi)land harvested in 1954
was 104,009 acres, or 35 percent of the county area.
Washington ('ounty was third in the State in total crop-
land harvested.
Table 1. — Acreage of principal crops and numbers of fruit
trees, (jrapevines, and herry farms in 1954
Crop
C!orn for grain
Corn for silage
Wlieat harvested
Oats harvested
Barley harvested
Alfalfa hay
Clover, timothy, and mixed hay
\'egetab!es for sale
Apple trees of all ages
Peach trees of all ages
Prune and plum trees of all ages
Cherry trees of all ages
Pear trees of all ages
Grapevines of all ages
Farms producing strawberries
Farms producing other berries „.
Strawberries harvested
Pastures
A total of 00,204 acres was grazed in 1954. Of this
total, 21,096 acres was cropland used temporarily for
pasture, and 8,004 acres was grazed w'oodlands. This
Rank in
State
Acres
23, 912
9
6, 269
3
1 7, .592
3
.5, 812
4
8, 980
2
12, 422
2
14, 900
7
979
16
Number
267, 213
1
156, 676
1
9, 738
1
8, 624
1
1, 990
2
868
7
52
7
126
3
Qiinrts
27. 000
5
WASHINGTON COUNTY. MARYLAND
'4
leaves 30,564 aiTos, prosuiiiiibly in pci-iiKmcnl pasi iires,
most of which are iinpi-ovod.
Livestock and Poultry
The <>oner:il nature and the (li\ersilicatiou of a<i;i'icul-
ture in A\'asIiinot()n County are enipliasized by the data
on livestock and j)ouhry in tal)le 2. Livestock and poul-
try are highly inii)ortant parts of (lie a<i;ricult ure. Not
shown in the table is the fact that most kinds of livestock
increased in number and in value between 1949 and
1954. Exceptions were horses, mules, swine, and sheep.
Tahle 2. — Number and mine of livestock and poultry and
their products in WSJ).
Rank
Value
Hank
Livestock and livestock products
Xiniiber
in
in
in
State
dollars
State
Cattle and calves on farms
40, 489
5
0)
(')
. Milk cows
18, 267
3
(')
(')
Heifers and heifer calves
12, 318
5
(')
(')
Cattle and calves sold alive
19, 140
5
0)
(')
3
Whole milk sold
(')
(')
4,2.53,510
Cream sold
(')
(')
33, 383
4
Horses and tnules on farms
1, 245
6
(')
(')
Hogs aiifl |)ii!;s on farnis_
17, 149
3
(')
(')
Hogs and pi^s sold alive
17, 581
3
577, 857
5
Sheep and lambs on farms. .
4, 267
3
(')
(■)
Sheep and lambs sold alive .
2, 889
3
44, 579
3
Chickens (over 4 months) on
hand-_ . _ .
157, 832
3
(')
Broilers sold
478, 378
7
363, 904
7
Other chickens sold. .
87, 911
3
92, 225
1
Chicken eggs sold — dozens
989, 443
3
391, 475
3
Turkeys raised
18, 675
9
(')
(')
Ducks raised
2, 977
6
(')
(')
Value of poultry and products
sold . _ _ .
(')
(')
949, 578
6
' Not reported.
Types and Sizes of Farms
In 1954, 213,104 acres, or about 72 percent of the
county, was in farms. There were 1,934 farms having
an average size of about 110 acres. Of the land in farms,
133,849 acres was classed as cropland. Nearly 83 percent
of this cropland was used for corn, small grains, hay
crops, or pasture, leaving only about 17 percent for all
other crops.
As to types of farms, dairy farms were tlie most
common, 35 percent being so classified. A total of 10 per-
cent was listed as other livestock farms, 6 percent as
cash-grain farms, about 5 percent as poultry farms, and
3 percent as fruit farms. The remaining farms were
listed as miscellaneous or unclassified.
In 1954, there were 287 farms of less than 10 acres
each. Then there were 474 farms of 10 to 49 acres, 321
farms of 50 to 99 acres, 824 farms of 100 to 499 acres,
and only 28 farms of 500 or more acres. There were
1,?,25 commercial farms, 215 part-time farms, and 490
residential farms. The rest were unclassified as to status.
Farm Tenure
Full owners operaltul 72 percent of the farms in 1954.
In addition, 9 percent weie operated by part owners,
about 18 percent by tenants, and less than 1 percent by
managers. Most tenancy was by shares, but somewhat
more than 30 percent was on a cash basis.
Farm Power and Mechanical Equipment
In 1!)54, 1,245 horses and mules were on 59S fai'ms.
Although these animals are used mainly for workstock,
mechaiiized eqiupment is more important than horses and
nudes on the average farm.
There was a total of 2,257 tractors reported on 1,360
farms. Mostly of the wlunded variety, these were used
for nearly all farm operations. Included were 352 garden
tractors and 42 tractors of ci-awler type. Also reported
on farms in 1954 were 1,201 trucks, 2,199 automobiles,
324 pickup hay balers, 302 cornpickers, and 126 foriige
harvesters. In addition, milking machines were reported
on 578 farms and i)ower feed grinders on 534 farms.
How the Soil Survey Was Made
Soil scientists examined soils in every field and parcel
of land in the county. To examine the subsoil and cleeper
layers, they bored holes with an auger or dug with a
spade. They also studied soils in banks, roadcuts, and in
pits and other excavations.
Each boring or hole reveals a soil profile. Each profile
consists of one or more distinct layers, called horizons,
over a substratum of hard or soft rock, gravel, river
sediments, or some other material. Soil scientists desig-
nate different kinds of horizons by capital letters. The
A horizon is the upper layer just beneath the leaf litter
or the vegetation. It consists of the surface soil and, in
some places, a subsurface soil. The B horizon is a subsoil
that has developed as a result of the processes of soil
formation. The C horizon is the parent material from
which the soil has been formed. The D horizon is a
substratum beneath the C horizon, or beneath the A or
the B horizon if some of the other layers are missing.
It may not be the same kind of material as that from
which the soil itself has been formed.
Each major horizon. A, B, C, or D, may consist of
one to many minor horizons or subhorizons, each dif-
ferent from the other. Thus, one soil may have Aj, Ao,
B21, B22, and C horizons; another soil may have A,, BC,
and D,. horizons; and yet another, Ai, Bj, B2, C, and D
horizons. The properties and thicknesses of the various
horizons and their arrangement help to characterize and
classify the soil.
Properties, such as texture and color, generally vary
in the different horizons of soil. In Washington County
the surface layer in most soils is darker in color than the
lower layers; the subsoil layers are brighter and more
intensely colored; and, in the lower horizons, mottled
colors may be present. The characteristics described in
the following paragraphs ai-e among the more important
ones considered by soil scientists. Soils are described
according to the "Soil Stirvey Manual" (9).
4
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 10 5 9, NO. 17
Texture refers lo (lie coiiIchI hI' clay, silt, and saml.
Texture is judged l)y the feel and, lo some extent, l)y the
appearanc^e of tlie soil, and also can be checked by me-
chanical analysis in the laboratory. The finest pai'ticles
are clay. Individual clay particles are so fine that they
can scarcely be seen throuji'li a microscope. Soils that,
consist pi-incipally of clay are typically plastic and sticky
when wet and lalhci- iiard wlien dry. A\'aler moves
slowly thi-()U!ih clay soils. These soils retain moisture
and plant mil rients well.
Medium-sized particles, lar<>-e enouo-fi to be seen with
a microscope, are called silt. Hilty soils are smooth and
velvety, and some are silky to the touch. They are usually
not so hard when dry, wov so sticky and plastic when
wet, as clay soils.
The lai'<>'er particles, smaller than <2;ravel, are called
sand. lndi\idual saiul particles can be seen with the
naked eye. AVatei' moves ra])idly lhi-ou<ih sandy soils,
but such soils i-etain relatively little watei- for plants.
]\lany soils of Washin<^ton County also contain <i-ravel,
and some contain stones. Some ai'eas ha\e many out-
croppinii's of rock. altlH)Ui:h these do not directly aft'ect
the soil texture.
MOvSt soils contain variable amounts of clay, silt, and
sand. Few soils anywliei-e are pui'e silt or ])nre sand, and
none ai-c known that are pniv clay. Within any one
soil, the dill'erent horizons may have dill'ei'cnl pi'opoi'-
tions of clay, silt, ami sand.
Stnrcfiire is the arraniivment of individual soil i)arti-
cles into clumps or a<i<iivgates. Some soils are loose and
crumbly; others can be broken down into small block-
like clods; and still others may have small, flattened,
platelike a<><>re<i"ates. The structuic of a soil helps deter-
mine whether ail', watei-, and plant roots can ])enetrate
it easily or with dilHcidty. Structure varies between soils,
and sometimes it is (piite dilbu-ent in the vai-ious horizons
of the same soil.
(hilar indicates other soil properties. The darker col-
ored soils ai'e <>enerally hi<>-her in or<>-anic matter than
the liiihter colored soils. Other thina-s l)ein<i- ecjual. they
are more productive and moi'e easily tilled than the
lighter colored soils. Color also indicates the decree of
natural draina<ie in a soil. In AA'ashin<rton County well-
drained soils ai-e normally ivddish bi'ovvii, yellowish
brown, brownish yellow, reddish yellow, yellowish red,
or red. Poorly drained soils have subsoils that are gray
and generally are mottled with brown, yellow, or red.
Intermediate classes of natural drainage are defined ac-
cording to the amount and location of mottling.
Wetness of an area and the color of the soil and its
position in the landscape are factors that indicate degree
of drainage. In Washington County there is a wide
variation in drainage, and this variation is a major cause
of ditl'erences in crop suitability and otlier properties.
The terms used to denote the successive grades or degrees
of soil drainage are exeesni vely draiyiefl, someivhat ex-
cess'iveh/ drained, irell drained, moderately well d/rained.
someudiat poorly drained, poorly drained, and very
poorly drained.
Acidity and other chemical properties indicate the
ways in which the soils were formed and how productive
the soils may be.
Dilb'icnt combinations of these soil characteristics are
the bases for sepai'ating one soil from another. In de-
termining the kinds of soil mapped in the county, com-
binations of soil propei'ties are em])hasize(l that are im-
portant in agriculture and in other soil uses aiul numage-
ment. The kinds of soil aic then grouped into soil
series, types, and phases.
A Hoil series is a group of soils that, except for the
texture of the surface layer, have the same profile charac-
teristics and the same genei-al range in color, structure,
consistence, and secjuence of horizons. All soils of the
same sei-ies have developed from the same kind of parent
nialei-ial. \'ariations in slope or in other features are
pei'milted so long as such variations do not all'ect the
piofile characteristics. Each soil series is given a name
that is generally taken from the locality where the series
was first recognized and described. Thus, Hagerstown
soils make up a A-ery impoi-(ant series that was first de-
scribed and recognized in Washington (bounty many
years ago.
A soil type is a subdivision of a soil series. The tex-
ture of the surface soil determines the type within a
series. A series may consist of only one or of many types.
Thus, I*o])e fine sandy loam and Pope silt loam are soil
types within the Pope series.
^"ariations within a soil type — chiefly in such external
characteristics as surface slojje, stoniness, or accelerated
erosion — are designated as xoil pliases. Waynesboro
gravelly loam, S to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded,
and A^'aynesl)oro gra\elly loam, 15 to 25 ])ercent slopes,
severely eroded, ai'e (wo of the phases named according
to slope and degree of erosion within the soil type,
Waynesboro gravelly loam, in Washington County. If
erosion has been negligible or slight, it is not mentioned
in the soil phase name, but if it has been nmderate, severe,
or very severe, the soils are so named. When this i-eport
mentions this oi- that "soil" it i-efei-s to the soil phase,
vv liich is the mapping unit used in Washington County.
The teims gravelly, channery, shaly, stony, or rocky
also are used to describe phases of soil types. For
example, one of the soils shown on the map is Hazel
channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Some of the soil mapi)ing units contain more than one
kind of soil. Inclusions of less than 15 percent of dif-
ferent, or even of conti-asting soils, are not indicated in
the soil name. Significant inclusions are mentioned in
"Description of the Soils."
A few mapi)ing units consist of two or more kinds
of soil so intricately mixed that the separate bodies of 4
them cannot be shown at the scale of map])ing. Such
mixed areas are called soil complexes. An example is
the mapping unit called Calvin-Berks channery loams,
0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Another kind of mapping miit contains two or more
soils that are similar and that were not mai)ped sepa-
rately. An example is the mapping unit, P^dgemont and
Laidig very stony loams, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Some of the mapping units are not true soils but can
be called land types. Examples are Rocky eroded land,
Stony steep land, and Terrace escarpments.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
Soils and Their Relation to Topography
The soils of \\';ishin<;l()n ("oimly I'aii he coiisidori'd in
four hi-oad i^roups iU'coiHliii^' lo their position on (he
landscape. Tlu'V are soils of tlie uplands, soils oF old
colluvial deposits, soils of the old stream terraces, and
soils of the Hood plains, ^^'ithin these broad (opo<irapliic
•groups, the soils vary accordin*^- to the ])aren( niatei'ials
from which they developed and according to their drain-
age. Table 3 shows these relationships among the soil
series in the county.
aSV^/Av of Ihc II />/ini(/s.- About 71 i)ercent of the laiul
area ol" tlie county consists ol' uplands. The soils there
de\eloped in place fi'om materials weathered from the
underlying rock.
iSoi/<s of old coll u rial deposits. — About Ki i)ercent of
the county area consists of soils that developed on ma-
terials transported by gravity. These materials have
moved down the sides of slopes, Hlling many depressions
and drainageways, and spreading fanlike over valley
floors. In places they cover areas that extend ontward
for a considerable distance from the area where they origi-
nated. Thus, the soils in those places were not developed
from materials weathered from the miderlying rocks.
Soils of old stream terraces. — These soils are mostly
on old high terraces along the Potomac River, althongh
some are on terraces of some of the larger creeks. The
terraces were once flood ])lains, bnt they are well above
the present stream channels, and some are at a considei'a-
ble distance from the i)resent streams. Alluvium was
deposited on these flood plains when the streambeds were
at a higher level than at pi'esent. The soils on these
old terraces make up about 5 percent of the comity.
Soils of the. food plain-s. — The alluvial deposits on
flood plains are fairly recent. jNlost of these areas are
still flooded at times. In many places the soils do not
contain developed horizons, but in some places a weak V>
horizcm has developed. The kind of soil depends chiefly
on the kinds of rocks and soils from which the material
was washed, and on the drainage. These soils of the flood
plains m.ake up the remaining 8 percent of the county.
General Soil Areas
In a county or other large area, it is fairly easy to
see differences in the landscape ivom place to place. Some
of the more obvious difl'erences are in the shape, steep-
ness, and length of slopes; in the width, volume, and
speed of streams and the size and shape of their valleys;
and in the kind and vigor of wild vegetation and of the
ci-ops and pastures. Less obvious difl'erences are in the
kinds of soils that have developed and the patterns in
which they occur in the landscape.
By drawing lines around the difterent patterns of
soils on a small map, we get a general map of the soils.
Such a map is useful to those who want a general idea
of the soils, who want to compare different parts of the
county, or who want to locate large areas suitable for
some particular kind of farming or other general use.
It does not show accurately the kinds of soils on a single
farm or small tract.
In "Washington County there are 14 general soil pat-
terns, called soil associations. These are shown on the
colored general soil map at the back of this rejjorl. Each
association is named for the dominant soil .series. Tlie 14
associations tuv grouped into I divisions, according to
di'ainage and de|)lli of I he soils.
Well-Drained, Stony and Very Stony Soils
This division occupies about 10 pei-cenl of the county.
It contains tlwee soil associations, which are on high
ridges and low mountains, from South Mountain in the
east to Sideling Hill in the west.
/. Dekalh-Leelonia-Edgemont-Laidifj uHsocUdion
(Very stoni/, mountainous .soils)
This soil association consists of motlerately coarse tex-
tured to medium textured, very stony soils developed
from sandstones and quartzites. Most of the soils are
fairly shallow to bedrock. The dominant soils ai-e those
of the Dekalb, Leetonia, Edgemont, and T>aidig series,
but small areas of other soils are included. liesides being
shallow and stony, these soils are mostly on sleep, moun-
tainous terrain, are sti'ongly to very strongly acid, and
are rather low in fertility and productivity.
These soils are probably more suitable for forestry and
wildlife than for more intensive agricultural uses, but
this does not mean that they are good forest soils. In
fact, forest operations may not be economically feasible
on some of the rougher and stonier areas. This asso-
ciation occupies about 8.6 percent of the county.
2. Dekalb-High field association
(Very steep, stony soils)
This soil association consists of very stony soils of the
Dekalb and Highfield series, developed on sandstone and
greenstone ( nietabasalt) , respectively. "Where the High-
field soils dominate, these stony soils are somewhat deejjer
and more productive than those of the Dekalb-Ix'etonia-
Edgemont-Laidig association.
Except in the vei-y steepest mountainous parts, this
Dekalb-IIighfleld association should be of economic use
for forests or timber products. It is too stony for cul-
tivation or for any but very limited grazing. This asso-
ciation makes up al)out (>.(> percent of the comity.
3. Highfield-Fauquier association
(Deep, stony soils)
This association is of deep, stony soils developed al-
most entirely from greenstone or nietabasalt. Although
these soils are too stony for crops or for very intensi^'e
grazing, they have considerable depth, comparatively
low acidity, ami fair fertility and productivity. Thus,
they probably make up the hest group of soils limited
in use mainly to forestry, and timber production on them
should be economically feasible. This association makes
up about 1.1 percent of the county.
Well to Excessively Drained,
Shallow, Medium-Textured Soils
This second major division of soil associations makes
up about one-fourth of the entire county. This division
is not confined to mountainous areas, but it is fairly well
distributed in various parts of the county. Where the
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Tahle 3. — Relationships of the soi/ series according to topographic position, parent material, find drainage
Position and parent material
Uplands:
Metainori)hic rocks:
Motabasalt (greenstone) .
.Micaceous schists and pii yllites_ .
(Juartzite or (|nartzitic sandstone
Consolidated sedimentary rocks:
Neai'ly pure, massive limestone_
Mmestone and shale
Chert \- limestone _
Very cliert y limestone
Sandy or arenaceous limestone
Iligh-calcium ;ir<iillaceous lime-
stone.
Interbedded limestone, sand-
stone, and shale.
Slifihtiy calcareous, gray shales
Slightly calcareous, red shales
and sandstones.
Acid, gray to yellow, hard shales
Acid, yellow to brown, soft shales
Acid, red shales and sandstones.
Avid, red sandstones
(Jray to yellow, coarse-grained,
acid sandstones.
Old collu\ ial deposits:
Crvstalline rock materials
Sandstone materials
Sandstone and shale over lime-
stone materials.
Clierty limestone materials
Acid shale mateiials
Old stream terraces:
Limeston(> materials
Acid sandstone and shale ma-
terials.
Bottom lands and Hood plain.s:
Crystalline rock materials
Gray, yellow, and brown sand-
stone and shale materials.
Red sandstone and shale ma-
terials.
Limestone materials
]\Iarl deposits
I )rainage class
Excessively
drained
Hazel.
Litz,
Teas.
Montevallo.
Lohow
Dekalb,
Leetonia.
Somewhat
excessively
drained
Chandler
Corydon .
Litz-
Teas.
Berks..
Calvin.
Lehew .
l''au((uier,
llighfield,
M vcrsville.
Chandler,
Talladega.
Edgemont
Ifagerstowii . .
Duffield,
Frankstown
i )unmore,
I'^rederick.
Elliber
Benevola
Corvdon
West moreland
Berks.
Calvin .
Braddock,
Tluirmont.
I.aidig
Murrili
Ashton,
Etowah.
Ilolston,
Waynes-
boro.
Congaree. .
Pope
Huntington.. .
Moderately
well drained
Somewhat
Ijoorly
drained
Trego
Buchanan.
Landisburg.
Lead vale. ..
Mononga-
hela.
Chewacla.
Largent.
Lindside..
Warners..
I'oorly
drained
Philo.
Warners. .
Rohrers-
ville. 2
Brinkerton.
Tyler.
Wehadkee.
Atkins
Atkins.
Melvin..
Warners.
V ery
poorly
drained
Dunning
' The Edgeniont series includes some soils developed jxirtly on The surface layer of the Rohrersville soils is more or less strongly
colluvial materials, and may be difficult to distinguish from soils influenced by recent, fine-grained local alluvium,
of the Laidig series.
W ASI lINC l COUNTY, MAHVLAXI)
7
soils art' iiol loo scNcrcly eroded, they arc suilahlc i'oi'
(•idti\iUod crops. Some of the soils aiv productive, espe-
cially for special crops, such as peaches or apples. For
iieneral crops, ho\ve\er, productivity is rather low because
ilie soils are shallow and some of them are drou<?hty.
4. Berks-Monti'vallo association
(Soils on shale)
Two series, the Berks and the ]\roiite\allo, domi-
nate this association. Theiv are a few included minor-
soils, such as those of the Hi-inkedon series. The Berks-
]\fontevall() association occu[)ies a belt that extends in
a north-and-south direction across the county. It is cen-
tered on Conocochea^ue ('reek, with smaller areas on
the Potomac west of Downsville.
This association consists mainly of soils on sliale. The
soils are acid, shallow, and somewhat drouf^hty, but they
can l)e fairly easily managed, can be i)lowed deeply into
the shale, if necessary, and are fairly productive under
the best management. The Berks-IVIontevallo associa-
tion makes up about 5.1 pei'cent of the county.
5. Hazel-Chandler association
(Shallow soils on schist)
The Ilazel-Chandler association consists chiefly of shal-
low and very shallow, very acid soils developed from
mica schist and phyllites. The largest area extends north-
ward from the Potoinac Kiver, across from Harpers
Ferry, ^Y. Va., almost to McClellans Lookout ; a smaller
area is on both sides of U.S. Highway No. 40, just west
of the Frederick County Line.
In general, these soils are so shallow and of such lim-
ited productivity that they are little used, although there
are occasional (■i'o])ped areas, pastures, and orchard plots.
The Hazel-Chandler association occupies about 1.7 per-
cent of the county.
6. Talladega association
(Moderately deep soils on schist)
On the western slope of South Mountain, from a point
just below Zittlestown to one just east of Kohrersville,
is an area occupied mostly by soils of the Talladega
series. This area is known as the Talladega association.
The soils are similar to those of the Hazel-Chandler asso-
ciation, but they are somewhat deeper and thus have
better moisture relationships. There is usually consider-
able quartzite gravel on and in the upper part of the
soil.
Because of its position, much of this soil association
is used for fruit crops, especially berries, to take advan-
tage of the good air drainage on the mountain slopes.
Otherwise, general farming is the pattern, but there are
many steep or eroded areas that are strongly limited
in their usefulness for agriculture. The Talladega asso-
ciation makes up about 1 percent of the county.
7. Litz-Teas association
( Shallow, steep soils on shale )
This area on the general soil map is the Litz-Teas asso-
ciation. It consists of one long, narrow ridge, extending
southward from the Pennsylvania line through Ringgold
to a point about 2 miles northwest of Smithsburg. The
soils of the I>ilz 'leas {issociation are shallow, mostly
fairly steep, and uiidiM lain by noiiacid, i-eddish and gray
shales.
Although feitility is not especially low, the soils arc
droughty atul thus are not very productive. Most of
them are in cultivation. There ai-e a number of orchards
on soils of this association. The associatif)n makes up
only iibout 0.2 percent of the entii-e county.
8. Calvin-Iierks-Litz-Monlerallo association
(Shallow soils on shale, limestone, or sandstone)
This is the most extensive soil association in th(! divi-
sion of shallow soils. It makes up more than 16 percent
of the county and extends, with some interruptions, from
the Allegany County line in the west to Fairview Moun-
tain. This is also the most complex of the soil associa-
tions in the county. There are smaller areas of many
soil series included besides those given in the associ;ition
name. Some of the soils developed from acid or nonacid
shale, and others, from limestone of various degrees of
purity, from sandstone, or from mixtures of any of these.
Most soils within this area are shallow to bedrock,
but there are spots of deeper Frederick, Dunmore, and
Westmoreland soils. Most of the soils are of medium tex-
ture, but some are moderately coarse textured. Because
this association lies within the Appalachian Valley and
Ridge province, the areas are mostly on fairly sharp
ridges that are separated by rather deep, small streams
that flow into the Potomac River.
Agriculture on the Calvin-Berks-Litz-Montevallo asso-
ciation is mostly of a general nature, with the greatest
emphasis, perhaps, on fruit growing. Peach and apple
orchards occupy many areas, particularly areas underlain
by limestones and nonacid shales. However, the greater
part of the association is in forest. The forests are pri-
marily of hardwood trees, dominantly oaks.
Moderately Well to Well Drained,
Deep, Medium-Textured Soils
This major division of the soils of "Washington County
includes most of the recent and older alluvial soils of
the flood plains and terraces. The soils are mostly me-
dium textured and deep, but there are variations in
drainage. Most of the soils are at least moderately well
drained. This division makes up about 2 percent of the
county.
9. Holston-Monongahela-Huntington-
Lindside association ( Soils on broad
flood plains and terraces)
This is the only soil association of this major division.
It consists of soils of the flood plains and of large parts
of the terraces of the Potomac River. The Holston soils
are well drained and the Monongahela soils are moder-
ately well drained soils of the terraces. The}- developed
from very old, acid sediments. The Monongahela soils
have a strongly developed silt pan or fragipan horizon
in their subsoil, and this restricts drainage.
The Huntington and Lindside soils are on recent flood
plains that consist of sediments influenced by limestone.
The Huntington soils are well drained, but the Lindside
5005.33—62 Z
8
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1 950, NO. 17
soils have a seasonally lii<>li wafei' table and are only
moderately well drained. There aiv smaller areas of
other soils, such as the Tylei- and ^Vayneshol■o soils on
the terraces and the Atkins. IMiilo, and Pope soils on the
flood plains.
Aoricidture is fairly well dexelopt'd on the soils of
the I lolston-AIononoahela-lIunt in<:ton-Lindside associa-
tion. Most of it is o-eneral fai'inin^-. The Holston and
Monono-ahela soils are above nonnal Hood staijes of the
Potomac, but both are subject to erosion. The Mononga-
hela soils are considered cold because of the impeded
drainage. The lluntin<iton and I^indside soils may be
flooded by the Potomac at hi<ih-\vater stafjes, and the
Lindside soils also are somewhat wet and cold. This as-
sociation makes up about ])ercent of tlie county.
Well-Drained, Deep, Medium-Textured Soils
This is by far the most extensive and important major
division of the soil associations in Wash i not on County.
The soils vary in many characteristics, but they are all
deep, well drained, and of medium te.xture. These soils
are hiohly suitable for agriculture wherever they are not
too strono-ly limited by steep s1oi)es or by ag-ffravated
erosion. They are also suitalde foi- most nonagricultural
))urposes. Tliere are 5 distinct soil associations in this
division. Together they make up neai'ly ().') ])ei'ccnt of
the entire county.
10. Braddock-Thurmont-Edgemont-Laidig
association (Gravelly soils)
'I'he soils of this association are in foot-sloj)e positions
below mountains or ridges. They have been formed in
colluvial, acid rock delu-is and ai-e mostly rather gravelly.
The gravel sometimes hinders cuhi\ ati<)n oi- creates other
management problems, but it in lu) way atlects the suit-
abiliry or tlie capability of the soils.
Because of their position in relation to ridges, these
soils have good air drainage. Therefore, they are used
rather extensively for orchards and berry crops, par-
ticularly in the northeastern part of the county between
the Pennsylvania State line and Cavetown. They are
also used for general crops and pastures, and some rather
large areas are still in forests. About 4.2 percent of the
county is occupied by the soils of this association.
//. Waynesboro association ( Soils on high
terraces along the Potomac River)
This association consists almost entirely of the soils of
one series, the Waynesboro, with only small areas of othel-
soils. The Wayne-sboro soils consist of very old, acid
alluvium, mostly gravelly, which has been deposited in
rather thick 1)eds above the Potomac Iviver. These mate-
rials are so thick that any underlying stratum, whether
it be older alluvium, limestone, or other material, has
had no evident effect on the soil.
These soils are used for all the crops conunon to the
county, except orchards. They generally lack the air
drainage that is needed for fruit crops. The soils of the
Waynesboro association are probably somewhat less pro-
ductive than the soils of the other associations in this
division. The association occu2:)ies about 2.4 percent of
the county. It occupies rather small areas at A'arious
points on the high terraces of the Potomac Kiver, from
the vicinity of Four Locks downstream to a j)oiiit just
southwest of Sharpsburg.
12. Fauquier-Myersville-High field
association ( Soils on greenstone)
This association is made up almost entiiely of deep,
well-drained, medium-textured soils (hat developed in tlie
weathered residue of greenstone rocks. Because these
I'ocks are rich in basic minerals, the soils developed from
them are less acid and contain more plant luitrients than
iiiniiy of the soils of the county. The most iin[)oi'tant
area of the Fau(|uier-Myersville-I lighlield association is
in Pleasant \'alley, which is drained by Israel Creek, it
is in the extreme southeastern part of the county. Smaller
areas are at higher ele\ations in the extreme northeastei'ii
part of the county, in the general area between Ilai'man
(Jap and llighlield.
The soils of (his association are used for all the crops
of (he area, including orchards and pastures. The asso-
ciation occupies about ■).7 i)ei-cent of the county.
13. Murrill association (Well-drained soils
on colluvial deposits that contain lime)
A\'here\er high ridges of acid rocks are next (o (he
great limestone valley of '\^'ashington County, colluvial
uia(ei-ial has moved downslope and out over the fringes
of (he valley. The forces (hat have caused this movement
ai-e mosdy gravity, assisted l)y the flow of nmoif wa(ers
over veiT long ])ei iods of time. "Wherever the undei-lying
liiiu'stoiie ma(erials ai'e close enough (o the surface of the
land (o atrec( soil development, one series of soils, the Mur-
rill, is extensive. There Ave have the Murrill association,
made uj) almost entirely of soils of the one series.
The soils of (his association occur on the lowest west-
ei-n slopes of Soutli INIountain, from the Pennsylvania
line southward almost to Rohrersville. They are also
on the lowest western slopes of Elk Ridge from near
Porterstown southward to the Potomac River; in a small
isolated area just north of Antietam; and in a large area
on the lowest eastern slopes of Fairview Mountain, from
the Pennsylvania line southward beyond Clear S])ring
and southeastward to the Potomac in the vicinity of Two
Locks. The Murrill association makes up altogether
about 6.5 percent of the county.
The Murrill association is important in the agiicul-
ture of the county. Because the soils are undei-lain by
limestone and are influenced by limestone materials, they
are more productive than most of the soils on other
materials. General farming is the common pattern, with
emphasis on dairying and other livestock enterprises.
There are some orchards, but they are not so common
as on the somewhat higher intermediate slopes where
air drainage is usuallj' somewhat better. Only small and
unimportant areas within the ^Murrill association remain
in forests.
IJ. Hagerstown-Duffield-Frankstown association
(Soils of limestone valleys)
This soil association occupies most of the main basin
of the great limestone valley that crosses the county
between South Mountain and Fairview Mountain. At
least 90 percent of the association is occupied by soils
\VASIlI\(i'r()N COUNTY, MARYLAND
ol' iIh' 1 1 iiiicrsi ow II, Diillicld, aiHl l*'i;iiikslo\vii sci ii'S.
Oilier locally iiuportanl series williiii the same area are
(he Heiievola, ( 'oi'ydoii, I'ilowali, 1 1 mil iiiirt on, Liii<lsi(le,
INIelviii, I )uiiiiiii<i-, and AVai-ners, l)u( IIumi- lolal area is
insi<;iiilieant in (comparison to the soils of (he three domi-
nant sei'ies. Alto^-e,t her the IIa<>;ersto\vn-I)nllield-Kraiiks^
town association accounts for more (lian 4(1 i)ei'cent of
Washiiii^ton County, (lius domina(in<j (he a<j:ricult ure,
not only of (he valley l)n( also of (he en(ire ('oun(y.
The I Ia<iers(()\vn soils are ivd and iiave been developed
from more or less ])ure, massive linies(one in (he valley.
Tiie DuUield and Franks(()\vn soils are more yellowish.
The Diiflield soils have been (Ievel<)])ed fi'om iiderbedded
liines(ones and s()f( shales, sonie(inies known as shabby
limestones, and the F'rankstown soils, from impure lime-
s(oiies con(ainin<i;' some shale and clierty gravel and (liin
beds of sandstone. The Dullield soils are somewhat
deeper (lian (he Franks(own. The soils of these thi*ee
series are fer(ile and are ])rodiic(ive under good man-
ageiiieid.
There is a major \aria(ion widiin (he Hagers(own-
DufKeld-Frankstown association that is not shown on the
general soil map. Eock outcrops are fairly connnon in
all of these soils. In large parts of the valley, ou( crop-
ping ledges of limestone are so numerous that they are
shown on the larger de(ailed soil ma]) as \ery rocky or
ex(reinely rocky phases of (he soils. In such A ery rocky
or ex(reniely I'ocky areas, the soils are deep between the
outcrops, except where some of the ledges lie from a
few inches to a foot or more below the surface. This
rockiness, of course, limits the usefulness of the soils.
These limitations are discussed more fully in the section
"Use and Management of Soils."
Because they are l)o(]i productive and extensive, the
soils of the Hagerstown-Duflield-Frankstown association
are the most im))orlaiit ones in I he agricii ll ii i a I economy
of 1 h(i county. These s(jils are used for all crops, with
great emphasis on corn, small gi'ains, hay crops, and
pastures. Because of this |)atieiii, pins ndatixe nearness
to (he gi'eat eastern markets, daiiying is the most im-
poi-(ant (ype of eiderprise; nex( in ini]>or(ance are (he
other livestock operadons. Under good management,
yields of all crops are high. Tiie chief deterrent (o even
grea(er pro(luc(ion, as already in(lica(ed, is (he presence
of large areas of ou(cropping r!mes(one rocks. Even
these areas, where cul(i\ation is hindered or in some
places ))reven(ed, aiv useful foi- pasdiivs and for some
hay crops.
All of (he soils of (he couidy, wliedier or not they have
been named in this discussion of the general areas, are
described in detail in (he next sec(i()ii of (his i-epoi'(.
Description of the Soils
In (his section (he soils and land (ypes in AVashing(on
County are described in de(ail. For each series of soils,
one typical profile is descrii)ed. Differences among soils
in the same series are no(ed in (he descrip(ions of (he
mapping units. Most commonly, (he differences are in
slope and in the degree of erosion oi- in the tex(ui-e of
(he surface layer.
The location and distribu(ion of the individual soils
are shown on the soil map in the back of this report.
The approximate acreage and proportionate extent of
each soil are shown in table 4. Many terms used in de-
scribing the soils are defined in the Glossary. A more
detailed account of the origin of tlie soils is in tlie section
"Formation and Classification of Soils."
Table 4. — Approximate acreage and proportionate extent of soi'/s
Ashton fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes_
Atkins silt loam
Benevola clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Benevola clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded
Berks channery loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded
Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 per-
cent slopes, severely eroded
Berks channery loam, ridges, 20 to 30 per-
cent slopes, moderately enjded
Berks shaly silt loam, 0 to 8 i)("rceiit slopes--.
Berks shaly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Berks shaly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Berks shaly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Berks silt loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Acres
Percent
78
1, 164
159
0)
0. 4
. 1
412
. 1
176
. 1
65
(')
815
. 3
879
. 3
194
. 1
632
1, 002
. 2
. 3
2, 606
. 9
2, 381
. 8
352
. 1
695
. 2
391
. 1
Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, severely eroded
Berks silt loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Berks soils, ridges, 20 to 45 percent slopes,
severely eroded
Berks soils, ridges, 30 to 60 percent slopes
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 3
to 8 percent slopes, moficratelv eroded
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 8
to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 15
to 25 percent slopes
Brinkerton silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.-.
Buchanan gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes
Buchanan gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Buchanan gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Buchanan gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin channery fine sandy loam, 3 to 10
percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin channery loam, 3 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin channery loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Acres
304
0. 1
273
. 1
823
. 3
3, 987
1. 3
575
. 2
567
. 2
74
(')
236
. 1
77
(■)
866
. 3
562
. 2
86
(')
276
. 1
890
. 3
1, 978
. 7
10
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 4. — Approximate acreage and proportionate extent oj soils — Continued
Soil
loam, 20
to 30 percent
to 30 percent
to 45 percent
percent
to 20
to 30'
Calvin channcry
slopes
Calvin channcry loam, 20
,sloi)os, moderately eroded
Calvin channery loam, 30
slopes
Calvin channery loam, 45 to 60
slopes
Calvin shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
severely ertjded
Calvin shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes..
Calvin shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes. .
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 0 to 10 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 10 to 20 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 3 to 20 per-
cent slopes, severely eroded
Calvin- Berks channery loams, 20 to 30 per-
cent slo|>es, moderately enxknl
Calvin- Berks cliannery loams, 30 to 60 per-
cent slo])es, moderately eroded
Calvin-Moiitevallo shaly loams, 0 to 10
percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 10
jjercent slopes, moderately eroded _
Calvin-Montevallo shaly k)ams, 20
])ercent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 20 to 45
jjercent slopes, severely eroded
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 30 to 60
percent slopes
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 0
to 10 percent slopes
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 3
to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam,
10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam,
20 to 30 percent slopes
Chewacla gravelly sandy loam
Chewacla silt loam
Chewacla stony silt loam
Congaree silt loam and gravelly loam
Corydon clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Corydon clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Corydon clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Corydon extremely rocky clay loam, 0 to 15
percent slopes
Corydon very rocky clay^ loam, 3 to 45 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy
loams, 0 to 25 percent slopes
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy
loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes
Dekalb and Leetonia ver\^ stony sandy
loams, 45 to 60 percent slopes
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 0 to
25 percent slopes
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 25 to
45 percent slopes
DufReld extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 15
percent slopes
Duffield silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
DufReld silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Area
Acrts
Extent
Percent
651
0. 2
224
. 1
859
. 3
156
. 1
189
. 1
126
(')
118
112
204
(')
(')
. 1
1 , 565
. 5
2, 798
. 9
320
. 1
1, 289
. 4
1, 315
. 4
103
(')
178
. 1
163
. 1
134
(■)
255
. 1
143
(■)
360
. 1
342
. 1
97
206
311
157
86
309
(')
. 1
. 1
. 1
0)
. 1
1, 006
. 3
200
1
405
. 1
857
. 3
1, 762
. 6
1, 056
. 4
201
. 1
281
. 1
493
. 2
1, 279
3, 352
. 4
1. 1
16, 338
5. 5
4, 739
1. 6
Soil
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes,
severely eroded
Duffield silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Duffield very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes
Duffield very rocky silt loam, 8 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately erodcfl
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Dunning and Melvin silty clay loams
Edgeniont and I^aidig channery loams, 0 to
12 f)ercent slopes
Edgemont and Ijaidig channery loams, 5 to
20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 20 to
35 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 35 to
60 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 0
to 5 i)ercent sloi)es
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 5
to 35 percent slopes
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 35
to 60 percent slopes
Elliber cherty loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Elliber cherty loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded .
Ellil)er cherty loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Elliber cherty loam, 45 to 55 percent slopes-
Eroded land, greenstone materials
Eroded land, limestone materials
Eroded land, sandstone and ciuartzite
materials
Eroded land, shale and schist materials
Etowah gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes,
Etowah gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Etowah gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Etowah gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Etowah silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Etowah silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded
Etowah silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Fauquier channery loam, 0 to 5 percent
slopes
Fauquier channery loam, 5 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Fauquier channery loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Fauquier channery loam, 20 to 35 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Fauquier silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Fauquier silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Fauquier silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Fauquier silt loam, shallow, 3 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Fauquier very stony loam, 5 to 35 percent
slopes
Frankstown extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to
25 percent slopes
Frankstown extremely rocky silt loam, 25 to
45 percent slopes
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded
Area
Acret
99
669
1, 895
178
44
50
1, 896
1, 493
4, 613
2, 870
291
127
12, 524
771
520
719
629
81
101
617
221
3, 890
97
363
182
40
154
339
188
244
1, 735
1, 144
271
41
289
93
42
435
983
140
2, 413
Sfe footnote at ond of tal)U'.
WASIIIXCTON COUNTY, MAItVKAM)
(ic/'((i;ii (iinl /nojKirtioiKitr. cftcnt, oj .soils ( "otil iinicd
Soil
Fraiikstowii wry rocky silt loam, 8 to 15 per-
cent slopes, severely (M'odetl
Friiiikstowii \ery rooky silt loam, 15 to 45
perc'i'iit slopes, nioderatcly eroded
Fraiikstowii and Diiflield chaiinery silt
loams, 0 to '.^ percent slojx's
Fraiikstowii and Duffield chaniiery silt
loams, ',\ to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded .
Fraiikstowii and Duffield chaiinery silt
loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes, severely
erodi'd ,
Fraiikstowii and Duffield clmnnery silt
loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded
Frankstown and Duffield chaiinery silt
loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely
eroded
Frankstown and Duffield chaiinery silt
loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded ,
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt
loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely
eroded
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt
loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt
loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes, severely
eroded
Frederick cherty silt loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, severely eroded
Frederick cherty silt loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Frederick cherty silt loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, severely eroded
Frederick cherty silt loam, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes...
Hagerstown clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
severely eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded -
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, severely eroded
Hagerstown extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to
25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown extremely rocky silty clay loam,
0 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown extremely rocky soils, 25 to 45
percent slopes
Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes..
Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderat(>ly eroded
Hagerstown silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Hagerstown silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded .
Hagerstown silt\' day loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes ,
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Sec footnote at end of table.
Area
.If ret
580
519
244
C, 909
60
3, 1 1 1
1 , 3()6
542
864
162
89
711
672
63
517
57
465
117
775
52
144
153
123
190
0, 696
4, 156
111
1, 146
22, 661
3, 690
252
437
4, 038
1. 458
Extent
Percent
0. 2
. 2
. 1
(')
0)
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
2. 3
I
1. 1
. 5
. 2
. 3
. 1
. 2
. 2
(')
. 1
2. 3
1. 4
. 4
7. 7
1. 2
. 1
. 1
1. 4
. 5
Soil Area
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded 153
Hagi^rstown \cry rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 per
cent slojies, moderately eroded 10,613
Hagerstown V(;ry rocky sill loam, 15 1o 45
percent slopes, moderately eroded I, (J87
Hagerstown very rocky silty cliiy loam, 3 to j
15 jiercent slojK's, moderately eroded 8, :')7I
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 8 to
15 jierceiit slopes, seventy eroded 2, 836
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 15 to
45 perc(>nt slopes, moderately eroded 621
Hagerstown very rocky soils, 45 to 55 per-
cent slopes...! 1 107
Hagerstown, Corydon, and Duffield very
rocky silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes 424
Hagerstown and Duffield silt loams, 25 to 45
percent slojies, moderatel.\- eroded 149
Hazel channery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent
sloi)es, moderately eroded 1, 438
Hazel channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded 1, 856
Hazel channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, severely eroded 202
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded 1, 095
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, severely eroded 124
Hazel channery silt loam, 30 to 45 percent
slopes 210
Highfield gravelly loam, 0 to 5 percent
slopes 67
Highfield gravelly loam, 5 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded 315
Highfield gravelly loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded 212
Highfield gravelly loam, 20 to 35 percent
slopes, moderately eroded 78
Highfield very stony loam, 0 to 5 percent
slopes 44
Highfield very stonv loam, 5 to 30 percent
slopes 1 2,123
Highfield very stony loam, 30 to 45 percent
slopes 470
Holstoii gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. 439
Holstuii [;ra\elly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
iiioderatel.\' eroded 1, 395
Holstoii gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded 588
Holston gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes,
severely eroded 49
Holston gravell.v loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded 118
Holston gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded 70
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes 115
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded 153
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, severely eroded 50
Holston silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 224
Holston silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded 666
Holston silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded 208
Huntington fine sandy loam 1, 507
Huntington gravelly loam 671
Huntington silt loam 1, 439
Huntington silt loam, local alluvium 4, 811
Laidig gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 110
Laidig gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderatelv eroded | 1,278
(■)
. 4
12
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 4. — Approximate acreage and pniportionate extent of soils — Continued
Soil
Laidig grjivclly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Luidifi gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Laidig very sstony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes.
Laidig very stony loam, 15 to 45 percent
slojH's, moderately eroded
Landisburg cherty silt loam, 8 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Landisburg cherty silt loam, 8 to 25 percent
slopes, moderate!}' eroded
Largent silt loam
Leadvale gravellj' silt loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Lindside silt loam
Lindside silt loam, local alluvium
Jiitz channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded .
Lltz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Litz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
severely t-roded
Litz shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes
Litz shaly loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded
Litz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded
Litz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, se-
verely eroded
Litz shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded _.
Litz shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes,
severely eroded
Litz shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Litz shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes,
severely eroded
Ijitz shaly loam, 45 to 60 percent slopes
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 0 to 8 percent
slopes
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 3 to 15 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 8 to 15 per-
cent slopes, severely eroded
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 15 to 25 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 15 to 25 per-
cent slopes, severely eroded
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 25 to 45 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded
Melvin silt loam ,
Monongahela gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Monongahela gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Monongahela silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Monongahela silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Monongahela silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Monongahela silt loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Montevallo shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Montevallo shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Montevallo shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, severely eroded
Montevallo shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
See footnote at end of table.
Acres
Extent
Percent
1, 574
0. 5
479
722
. 2
. 2
1 I A
I 10
(')
00
(')
143
15/
(')
. 1
49
(')
4/0
2, 435
488
. 2
. 8
. 2
232
. 1
Ck'7
97
(')
1 uy
366
(')
. 1
•} o
. 2
1, 4y,i
. 5
oU4
. 2
. 3
5 / y
. 2
6 1 y
. 1
136
(')
(')
I9o
. 1
625
. 2
126
(')
164
. 1
167
. 1
56
146
(')
(')
301
. 1
110
443
(')
. 1
861
. 3
223
. 1
57
(')
1, 857
. 6
2, 972
1. 0
1, 628
. 6
1, 812
. 6
Soil
Montevallo shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, severely erodecl
Murrill gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes..
Murrill gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded. „
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded .
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes,
severely eroded
Murrill gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Murrill gra\('lly loam, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded .
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent
sloi)es, severely eroded
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent
slo])es, severely eroded
Murrill silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Murrill silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded
Murrill silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded
Myersville channery loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes
Myersville channery loam, 3 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Myersville channery loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Myersville channery loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Myersville chainiery loam, 30 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Myersville channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent
slopes, severely eroded
Myersville channery silt loam, 10 to 30 per-
cent slopes, severely eroded
Myersville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Myersville silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Myersville silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
Myersville very stony loam, 3 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Myersville very stony loam, 30 to 55 percent
slopes, eroded
Philo gravelly sandy loam
Philo silt loam
Pope fine sandy loam
Pope gravelly loam
Pope gravelly sandy loam
Pope silt loam
Pope stony gravelly loam
Rocky eroded land
Rohrersville silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Stony rolling land
Stony steep land .
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum
variant, 0 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum
variant, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely
eroded
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum
variant, 20 to 30 percent slopes
lOxtent
Percent
623
1, 479
0. 2
. 5
9, 485
3. 2
4, 122
1. 4
84
(')
596
. 2
51
368
. 1
678
. 2
84
(')
88
0)
46
269
(')
. 1
872
. 3
214
. 1
47
(')
1, 331
. 5
1, 676
. 6
418
. 1
175
. 1
52
(')
57
131
(')
(')
532
. 2
1, 428
. 5
147
430
1, 254
1, 793
4oO
446
442
87
823
(')
. 1
. 4
. 6
. 2
. 1
(')
. 3
216
4, 643
2, 857
. 1
1. 6
1. 0
794
. 3
53
(')
160
. 1
\vasiiin(;t()n r'ouNT'i', maio'land
Soil
Table 4. — Approximate acreage aw! /ini/m/iKindii (.rh ni of soils — Coiiiinm rl
Soil
Talladega Ki'aNi'llx' sill Idaiii, thick sdlmii
N'ariant, 20 lo 15 piTcciil slopes, iiiodcr-
iitcly crodi'd
Terrace cscarpincnts
Thurnioiil fiiaxcily loam, '.\ to <S pcreent
slo])('s, modc'ialclv rrudi'd
Thuniiont f;ra\clly loam, S to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Trego gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes - ,
Trego gravelly silt loam, \^ to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Tyler silt loam, 0 to ,S peri'eiit slopes
Warners loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
\\'aynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to percent
slopes .
Waynesboro gra\'elly loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded
Waynesboro gra\clly loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, mofieialely eroded
Waynesboro fira\cll\ loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, se\-erely eroded
Wayn<'slioro !^ra\-ell\- loam, 15 to 25 percent
sloi)es, modei-ati'ly eroded
Area
Acres
ill
341
t()()
245
89
252
127
1, 646
166
2, 387
1, 400
475
236
Extent
Percent
(')
(')
2
1
. 1
. 6
. 1
. 8
. 5
. 2
. 1
Waynesboro gra\elly loam, 15 to 25 i)r'rcenl
slopes, severely erodeil
Waynest)oro gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, mo(lerat(4y eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 0 tf) 8 jjer-
cent slopes
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15
percent slopes, moderately eroded
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes, severely eroded
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25
percent slopes, moderately eroded
Wehadkee silt loam
Westmoreland chaimery silt loam, 3 to 10
percent slopes, moderately eroded
Westmoreland channery silt loatn, 10 lo 20
percent slopes, moderately eroded
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 20
p(>rcent slopes, severely eroded
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 20 to 30
percent slopes, moderately eroded
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 20 to 30
percent slopes, severely eroded
Total ^ . . .
A reji
Extent
Pererril
322
0, 1
98
(')
1 j:.
628
. 2
103
(')
137
(')
183
. 1
31 1
. 1
2ti3
. 1
278
. 1
82
(')
100
295, 680
98. 8
' Less than 0.1 percent.
Ashton Series
The Ashtoii series consists of deep, well-drained,
weakly developed soils on low terraces or second bottoms
along the Potomac River. These soils developed in old
alluvium that washed from soils underlain by limestone
or from materials strongly influenced by limestone. The
higher terraces in the same general areas are occupied
by soils de\eloped in more acid materials, such as the
soils of the Ilolston, IMonongahela, and Waynesljoro
series.
The Ashton soils are very productive tuider good
management. They are limited in extent and occupy less
than 100 acres.
Profile of Ashton fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent
slopes, in a temporarily idle area where Orchard Road
reaches the Potomac River, in the Cohill community :
.A„ 0 to 9 inches: dark-brown (lOYR 3/3) fine sandy loam;
weak, fine, crumb structure; slightly hard when dry,
very friable when moist, and nonplastic and non-
sticky when wet; roots abundant; neutral; clear, wavy
boundary; horizon is 6 to 12 inches thick.
Bi 9 to It) inclies: dark-brown (lOYR 4/3), heavy fine sandy
loam; weak, fine to medium, crumb to weak, very fine,
subangular l)locky structure; slightly hard when dry,
very friable when moist, and slightly plastic but non-
sticky when wet; roots plentiful: many fine and
medium pores; slightly acid to neutial; gradual, wavy
boundary; horizon is 5 to 8 inches thick.
B2 16 to 45 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4), heavy loam
to light silt loam; weak, medium, subangular blocky
structure; moderately hard when dry, friable when
moist, and plastic and slightly sticky when wet; roots
fairly plentiful in upper portion to ]iractically none in
lower portion: many fine and medium pores and a few
worm channels: slightly acid to neutral; clear, wavy
to irregular boundary: horizon is 18 to 40 inches thick.
C 45 to 80 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4) fine sandy
loam to silt loam; about 20 percent fine, distinct
mottles of very dark grayish brown (lOYR 3/2); very
weak, very coarse, subangular blocky structure be-
coming somewhat coarse, platy in places: moderately
hard when dry, firm when moist, and slightly plastic
but nonsticky when wet; no roots; moderately per-
meable: contains 10 to 15 percent fine and very fine
gravel; moderately alkaline; clear, irregular boundary;
horizon is 24 to 40 inches thick.
D 80 to 108 inches + : stratified gravel, sand, silt, and clay
loam; gravel makes up about 60 percent of the mass
and is waterworn; fine materials are of same color as
those in the C horizon, but with about 40 percent
mottles; massive; hard when dry, firm to friable when
moist, with finer materials plastic and slightly sticky
when wet; no roots; moderately rapidly permeable;
mildly to moderately alkaline.
All horizons are variable in thickness, particularly the
B2 horizon of the subsoil. The variations apparently
are correlated with the topography. The soils that have
the thickest, most strongly developed B horizons are in
the highest positions. In soils in the lower positions, the
B horizon is thinner and more poorly developed, but the
surface layer may be 2 or more feet thick. In a few
areas there are some shale and sandstone fragments in
the substratum, but in most places the coarse material
is chert.
The Ashton soils are well drained, but within the areas
tliere may be some wet spots or shallow sinks. The sur-
face is generally smooth, but there are a few htunmocks
in places. The low terraces on which the Ashton soils
are located are generally at least 20 feet higher than the
flood plains. These soils have moderate overall perme-
ability and mcxlerately high to high moisture-supplying
capacity. They may be covered with water dtxring gen-
eral floods at intervals of several years.
Ashton fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes
(AsB). — This soil has the profile that has been described.
14
SOIL 8UH\KV SERIES 19.59, NO. 17
Jt is the only .Vsliloii soil in I lie coiinly. Since there :iie
no great luizards, except, flooding for short periods at in-
tervals mail}' years a])art, this soil is suitable for almost all
the crops grown in the region with only reasonably good,
simple management practices. Althongh the soil occurs
at compai'at ively low elevations, it has fairly good air
drainage because of its position above the Potomac Kiver.
Most of the soil has been planted to orchards, but, at
the time of this report, the orchards had not come into
production. Time will tell whether the soil is well suited
to orchards or not. This is one of the better soils of the
county. Tt occupies oidy 7S acres and is in capability
unit I-G.
Atkins Series
The Atkins series consists of {)()()rly drained soils in
recently deposited allu\ iinn on the flood plains. The soils
are generally along the smaller streams. The dejjosits are
made up of out wash from acid shale and sandstone areas.
On the same materials and along the same streams are
the moderately well drained to somewhat pooi'ly drained
Philo soils and the well drained Pope soils.
The Atkins soils are not very e.xtensive. Because they
are too wet for many purposes, they are not of very
great importance in agriculture.
Profile of Atkins silt loam, in a cutover foi-esfed area
at a point just off McC^oys Ferry Road, one-half mile
south of its intersection with (Jreenspring Furnace Koad:
A, 0 tu () inches: olivc-hiuwii (2.5Y 4/4) silt loam; moderate,
medium, crumb structure: hard when dry, friable
when moist, plastic and sticky when wet: roots abun-
dant ; m(>dium to slightly acid; clear, smooth bound-
ary; horizon is 4 tt) 8 inches thick.
Cig (■) to U) inches: dark grayish-brown or olivc-sfray (2.5Y
4/"2 or 5Y 4 '2) silty clay loam; about 30 ))ercent fine
and medium, distinct mottles of dark brown (7.5YR
4/4^; compound, weak, coarse, platy and moderate,
medium, blocky and subangular blocky structure;
hard to very hard when dry, rather firm when moist,
and plastic and sticky when wet; roots confined
mostly to upper portion; slowly permeable; strongly
acid; clear, smooth boundary; horizon is 8 to 16
inches thick.
Cog H) to 36 inches -|- : olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) fine gravelly
sandy clay loam; about 40 percent fine, medium and
coarse, distinct mottles of dark gray, reddish brown,
and strong brown; stratified with a \ery weak,
coarse, platy structure; very hard when dry, firm
when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; prac-
tically no roots; slowly permeable; very strongly acid.
The greatest variation in the Atkins soils of Washing-
ton Cotnity is in thickness, or in depth to the gravelly C
horizon. Overall permeability is slow, and, though these
soils are very wet for long periods, they can become very
liard and droughty dtiring extended dry weather. Their
moisture-supplying capacity is, therefore, rather low,
even though they may be flooded nearly every year and
sometimes for rather long periods. Because of their ad-
verse moisture relationships, these soils are suited to cul-
tivated crops only with drainage and water control, and
then are tised chiefly for corn, forage crops, or pasture.
Atkins silt loam (At). — This soil, which has the profile
that has been described in detail, is the only Atkins soil
in Washington County. Because of its wetness, it is
placed in capability iniit IIIw-l. There are l.lfi4 acres.
Any areas damaged by fri'([uent overllows should be
maintained in [)ermanent grass or woodland.
Benevola Series
The Henevola series consists of deep, \('i v well drained,
dark-red, line-text ui'ed soils de\eloped from rather soft,
\ery line grained, sandy limestone. The Benevola soils
have very strong structure in the subsoil and an excep-
tionally high degree of porosity for such hne-tex(ured
soils. Locally, some small areas of the.se soils are mod-
erately deep or shallow o\er ledges of the limestone,
and there are occasional oiitcroppings of the saiuly lime-
stone.
The Ik'iievola soils are on nearly level or gently rolling
valley floors. They are mostly in the area from about
Bene\-ola northeastward nearly to Bagtown. Other soils
on limestone are those of the Dtdfield, Frankstown, and
Ilagerstown series.
Although the Benevola soils are not extensive, they are
excellent agricultural soils and have all been cleared for
use.
Profile of Benevola clay loam, 0 to '\ percent slopes,
in an old cultivated area about BO yards south of U.S.
Highway Xo. 40, almost directly across that highway
from the Ilagerstown drive-in theater, about halfway
between Wagner's Crossroads and Mount Lena:
A I, 0 to 6 inches: dark reddish-brown (SYR 3/4) clay loam;
strong, medium, granular to strong, very fine,
blocky structm-e; moderately hard when dry,' friable
when moist; roots fairly abundant; highly porous;
contains occasional fragments of fine-grained, very
sandy limestone; neutral in reaction; clear, smooth
boundary; horizon is 5 to 7 inches thick.
B>, 6 to 13 inches: dark reddish-brown (SYR 3/4) fine clay
loam or clay; strong, fine to medium, blocky and
subangular blocky structure; blocks crush when
moist to strong, fine granules; hard when dry,
friable to sonuiwhat firm when moist, and plastic
and sticky when wet; roots plentiful; abimdant
medium pores; slightly compacted at upper bound-
ary (probably a plowsole) ; contains occasional
fragments of sandy limestone; neutral; gradual,
wavy V>oundary; horizon is 6 to 10 inches thick.
B22 13 to 35 inches: dark-red (2. SYR 3/6) clay; very strong,
verj' fine to fine, blocky and subangular blocky
structure; blocks crush when moist to ver}^ strong,
very fine granules; hard when dry, firm when moist,
and plastic and sticky when wet; roots few to
fairly plentiful in upper portion; abundant fine
and medium pores; continuous self-colored clay
skins on aggregates; clear to abrupt, irregular
boundary; horizon is 18 to 30 inches or more tfiick.
C 35 to 42 inches 4- : yellowish-brown to light-gray (lOYR
5/4 to 5Y 6/1) gravelly very fine sand or loamy very
fine sand; single-grain structure; soft to loose when
dry, soft when moist, and nonplastic and nonsticky
when wet; occasional roots; rapidly to very rapidly
permeable; gravel consists of fragments of very
fine grained sandy limestone in all stages of decom-
position: mildly to moderately alkaline to calcareous.
Some areas are included that are less intensely red
than the profile described. The greatest variation in the
soils, however, is in depth to bedrock. In some places
the soil is very deep but is only a few feet away from
an outcrop of the limestone. The stirface soil described
probably inehides some sttbsoil that has been incorporated
into the surface layer as the result of repeated plowing.
In spite of their fine texture, the overall permeability
of the Benevola soils is rapid because of the good strtic-
\VASllIN(iTON COUNTY, MAH VI-A.\I)
15
hire. \\'lu'n' I lie soil is of iioi'iiiiil lliickncss over rock,
the iiioisl lire sii|)|)lyin<i- capiicil v is xcry lii^Wi.
Henevola clay loam, 0 to .'5 percent slopes (BaA) — On
this nearly lovcl or jiciitly slopiiiji" soil, tlicre has been
liltlo, if any, erosion. This soil has (he profile descrihed.
All of this soil is in use I'oi- (■ro{)s or pastures, except
for occasional honiesites. Allh()u<>h it is not particularly
subject to deterioration, this soil is dinicult to manage,
except within a very narrow range of moisture content,
because of its fine texture and its stickiness and plasticity.
For this reason, this soil is in capability unit IIs-1.
There are 15!) acres.
Benevola clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (BaB2). — This soil is sloping and has bci'ii
somewhat eroded. It can be used for all the crops com-
monly grown, with proper erosion control and other
management practices, without serious further damage.
Howevei', it is difficult to handle. This soil is in capabil-
ity miit IIe-19. There are 412 acres.
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (BaC2). — liecause of the hazard of erosion
and the general dilKculty of management, this soil is
in capability unit Ille-oO. There are 176 acres.
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely
eroded (BaC3). — On this soil, erosion has been active and
damaging. Because of the combination of fairly strong
slopes and severe erosion, the 65 acres of this soil are in
capability miit IVe-1. This soil can be cultivated in long
rotations with hay or pastui'e most of the time, if other
good management is practiced.
Berks Series
The Berks series consists of well-drained to somewliat
excessively drained, rather shallow soils that developed
primarily from acid shales. The soils occupy rolling
valley floors and rather steep ridges. They are extensive
in Washington County in the areas that iDorder Conoco-
cheague Creek and in the ridge and valley section west
of Fairview Mountain. In some places the shale under-
lying the Berks soils is somewhat influenced by lime-
stone.
The Berks soils are somewhat similar to the INIonte-
vallo soils in appearance, but the underlying shale is
softer and more readily incorporated into the soil by
plowing and cultivation than the shale mider the Monte-
vallo soils, and it is more permeable to water and to
roots. The Berks are also more productive than the shal-
lower ISIontevallo soils.
Profile of Berks shaly silt loam, ;> to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded, in a cidtivated area on Independence
Koad, 11/4 miles northeast of Conococheague Bridge:
Ap 0 to 8 inches: dark-brown (lOYR 4/3) shaly silt loam;
moderate, medium, crumb structure; friable when
moist, and slii;htly plastic and slightly sticky when
wet; roots al^undant ; strongly acid; clear, smooth
boundary; horizon is 6 to 9 inches thick.
B2 8 to 13 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4), shaly,
heavy silt loam; weak, fine to medium, subangular
blocky structure; friable when moist, and moder-
ately plastic and slightly sticky when wet; roots
fairly common; abundant pores; thin, almost con-
tinuous, self-colored clay skins; 30 to 40 percent
shale; very strongly acid; clear, wavy boundary;
horizon is 3 to 0 inches thick.
C 13 lo 24 inches: dark yellowish-brown dOYR 4/4), frji«-
in(Mited, soft shale, strongly coaled with silt and clay;
very few roots; rapidly permeable; fine material
very strongly acid; gradual, wavy to irregular
boundary; horizon is 8 to 24 inches thick.
Dr 24 inches + : moderately hard, yellowisli-browii <»r
l)rownish-y(;llow shale.
Thei-e is considerable variation in I he amount of shale
fragments in the pi-olile. Some undisturbed areas have
very little shale in the surface soil. There is considerable
shale in the surface layer of practically all plowed areas,
however, because plowing to normal de[)lh almo.st in-
variably incorporates some of the more shaly Bv horizon
into the [)l()w layei'.
In some places the subsoil has a slightly reddish cast,
approaching reddish brown (5YK 5/4) in color. In place.s
there are tliin seams of sandstone in the parent shale,
particularly in the western part of the county. In sucli
places the soil tends to be a little less silty than the soil
described above, and may contain few to many flat frag-
ments of sandstone.
Berks channery loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (BcB2). — Most of this soil is on ridge-
tops. It has a profile like the one described, but it is
somew^hat less silty .and more sandy and contains 20
percent or more of flat fragments of hard sandstone up
to 6 inches in length. The soil contains considerable
shale. The sandstone fragments may be present through-
out the profile Init are generally more abimdant on and
near the surface. On the gentle slopes the low moisture
capacity, hence low production, of the soil is a more im-
portant management problem than erosion. The 815 acres
are in capability miit IIs-7.
Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (BcC2). — The slope of this soil is great
enough to make risk of erosion the nmnber one manage-
ment problem if good co\-er is itot maintained. The soil
is also droughty and of rather low productivity, but it
can be cultivated safely with careful management. This
soil is perhaps better suited to hay crops and to sodded
orchards than to clean-cultivated crops. The 879 acres
are in capability unit IIIe-32.
Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
severely eroded (BcC3). — This soil has been seriously dam-
aged b}' erosion. The original surface soil is nearly all
gone, and there may l)e occasional shallow gullies. In
this condition the soil is suited to only occasional cul-
tivation of crops in long rotations with hay or pasture
l)lants, or to sodded orchards. There are 104 acres, in
capal)ility unit IVe-32.
Berks channery loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (BcD2). — This soil is steeper than the
otie just descrilted, but erosion has been less severe,
largely because much of the soil has remained in forest.
There is a strong hazard of erosion because of steepness,
so this soil has also been placed in capability unit IVe-32.
There are 632 acres in this county.
Berks shaly silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes (BeB). —
This soil has a profile like the one described for the se-
ries, except that there has been practically no erosion. It
has either been in woodland or has been especially well
managed. Because erosion has not been serious, the
shallowness of the soil and its low moisture-holding capa-
16
SOIL SUUXEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
citv iuv the juost important iiianaaciiitMii factors. There
are 1,()()'2 acres of this soil, in capaMlity unit IlIs-:2.
Berks shiily silt loam, .} to S percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (BeB2). — This soil has the prohU' that has
been described in detaih Krosioii has been active, even
thouoli slopes are not ver_y <>reat. Jiecause most of tliis
soil is in cultivation, the erosion hazard is the most si<r-
nificant manai:enienl pr()l)lem. Tlie soil also is thin and
somewhat drouiihty. I'lie acres of this soil are in
ca})al)ilit y unit II Is -J.
Berks shaly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (BeC2). — On this soil, erosion has been ac-
tive, allhouiih not severe. The soil is suitable for i-e<>-u]ar
culti\ation if careful ei'osion conliol is pi-acticed. Meas-
ures to maintain fertility and umisture are also \ery im-
portant. The I'.^iSl acres of this soil are in capability
unit I\'e-.")'2.
Berks shaly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (BeD2). — There is such a ^ reat erosion haz-
ard thai this soil nnist be very cai-efully mana<red and
l)i-()tccH'd if it is lo be cult i\ ali'<i. \'ery lon<:- rotations
with few clean-tilled ciops will be necessary if this
soil is to be preserved. It occupies !552 acres and is in
ca])ability unit Vie-;').
Berks silt loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (BkB2). — This soil has a i)roHle much like
the one desciibed for the Berks series, excei)t that the
surface soil contains fewer fra<iinenfs of shale. It is con-
lined chielly to the ridi;v ai'eas in the western pai't of
the county. This soil is in capability unit IIs-T. There
are ()!)."> acres in the county.
Berks silt loam, ridge.s, 10 to 20 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (BkC2). — Erosion on this soil has been
oidy mo(U'i-ate, but there is definitely a strong" hazard
of erosion. For tliis reason, the acres are [)laced in
cai)al)ility unit lIIe-;>2.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, se-
verely eroded (BkC3). — This soil has lost ni()>t of it> oi-io--
inal surface soil and in places some of tlie orioinal
subsoil. It is less suitable for cultivation and requires
much more carefid mana<i-ement than the similar, but
only moderately eroded, soil. This soil occui)ies ;50-t acres
and is in capability unit IVe-32.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (BkD2). — This soil is steep, but it has been
forested aiul erosion has not been severe. It can be
cropped with very careful management. The 27.') acres
are in capability unit IVe-32.
Berks soils, ridges, 20 to 45 percent slopes, severely
eroded (BoE3). — The soils of this unit are stee]) and are
so severely eroded that few characteristics of the lierks
series remain. The ori<xinal surface soil and some of the
subsoil have been eroded away, and the remaining soil
over the shale rock is only a thin, irregular mantle. Such
soils are not suitable for crops, lender the best manage-
ment, they may j)roduce some grazing, but their most
suitable use is probably as reforested woodland. There
are 82;^ acres, in capability unit Vlle-o.
Berks soils, ridges, 30 to 60 percent slopes (BoF). —
These are small, very steep areas of various Berks soils
— either the silt loam, the channery loam, or the shaly
silt loam. For the most i)art, they have I'emained in
forest and have not been significantly damaged l)y ero-
sion. The 3,987 acres are in capability unit VIIe-3.
Braddock Series
The Braddock series consists of deep, well-drained, red
soils devel()[)ed in materials that weathered from A'ery
old rockslides on the foot slopes of movuitains and on
benchlike ai'eas on mountainsides. The Jiraddock soils
ai-e gravelly, antl in a few places they are somewhat
stony. The materials from which they have been devel-
oped consist laig-ely of (|uarlzitic sandstone, but in many
places there is some greenstone or metabasalt and some
hard, white (|uart/,ite. In loral spots there is also some
shale.
The Braddock soils in A\'ashington ( ounty occur on
and below the western slopes of I)lue IJidge and Flk
Ividge. They are associated with, and in many ])laces
ai'e mixed with, soils of the Thurmont series "that ai-e
more yellow than I'ed. Because of this association and
mixture, all of the Braddock soils of the county have
been mapped in undi lierent iaf ed mapping units with
Thurmont soils.
Most areas are in forest, but some aiv cultivated. The
soils are especially suited to orchards, but they can also
be used for general crops and ])astures. They are faii-ly
pi-oductive, but their content of gravel makes them some-
what difiicull to handle.
Profile of Bi'addock gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded, in a forested area just east of
Mount Lena Road, about 120 yards northeast of its in-
ler.section with Kuble Road:
A, 0 to 4 inches: dark-l)rovvn (7.5YR 3/2) gravelly loam;
moderate, fine, granular structure; slightly hard when
dry, very friable when moist, and slightly plastic and
slightly sticky when wet; roots abundant; about 20
percent gravel; slightly acid; clear, wavy boundary;
iiorizon is 2 to 4 inches thick.
A2 4 to 11 inches: dark-brown (lOYR 3/3), gravelly, heavy
loam; moderate, fine, cruml) to graindar structure;
moderately harcl when dry, friable when moist, and
slightly plastic and slightly sticky when wet; roots
plentiful; many fine and medium and a few large
pores; about 20 percent gravel; medium acid; clear,
wavy boundary; horizon is 4 to 8 inches thick.
Bi 11 to 22 inches: strong-brown (7. SYR 5/6), gravelly, heavy
loam; weak, medium, subangular iilocky structure;
moderately hard to hard when dry, friable to moder-
ately firm when moist, and moderately plastic and
sticlcy when wet; roots plentiful in upper portion,
fewer below; many fine and medium pores; 20 to 25
percent gravel; strongly acid; gradual, wavy boun-
darv; horizon is 8 to 14 inches thick.
B2 22 to 38 inches: yellowish-red (SYR 4/8), gravelly, light
sandy clay loam; moderate, medium, blocky and sub-
angular blocky structure; hard to very hard when
dry, firm when moist, plastic and sticky when wet;
roots few; many fine and medium pores; about 20
percent gravel; thin, continuous, self-colored clay coats
on aggregates and in pores and root channels; very
strongly acid; gradual, smooth to wavy boundary;
horizon is 14 to 28 inches thick.
B3 38 to 46 inches: yellowish-red (5Y'R 5/8), gravelly, very
gritty sandy clay loam; moderate, medium, blocky
structure; hard when dry, friable to firm when moist,
plastic and sticky when wet; roots few; many fine and
medium pores; about 20 percent gravel; thick, red
clay skins in pores and in root channels and on some
aggregate surfaces, with black films on other surfaces;
extremely acid; gradual, wavy boundary; horizon is
8 to 12 inches thick.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAHYLAN'I)
17
C 4() to 00 inches | : yollowisli-rcd (SYR 5/f)) nmvclly
.siiiuly clay, .soiiicwliut variof?!itc(l svitli faint rcddisii-
ycllow spots and streaks; very weak, coarse, hlocky
structure; hard to very luird when dry, frial)le to firm
when moist, and plastic and moderately sticky when
wet; a few large tree roots; many fiiu- and medium
l)()res; ai)out 40 percent gravel; some l)lack films on
aggregates and on gravel; extremely acid.
The Briuldock soils vary soniewliat in conhMit of <fr!ivel
and in color. Sonii' areas are somcwliat cohhly, particu-
larly those alono; (lraina«ie\vays. The Hraddock soils
may be even more red than the rei)resentalive profile
described. More frequently the \ariation is toward the
yellow side, where (he soil (grades to soils of the 'J'hnr-
inont series. Tliese soils in many places have a sort of
landslide topoiii'aphy with complex or brok'en slopes.
Braddock and Thurmont siJivelly loams, .} to S per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded (BrB2). — riiis unit in-
cludes the Hiaddock soil that has been described in de-
tail, alon^- with some areas of Thurmont oravelly loam
with similar slope and erosion. It ()ccu[)ies the least
slopino- areas; there are practically no really level areas.
There has been some erosion on most of tlie soil, but some
small areas are included where (here has been no erosion.
Fairly oood crops, especially orchard crops, can be o-rown
with reasonably ^-ood inanao'ement. Because of (he haz-
ard of erosion, however, the 575 acres of this unit are in
capability unit lie— f.
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 8 to 15 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded (BrC2). — Because of the
de^rree of slope, "ood manaoemen( must be practiced if
this soil is to be cultivated safely. Xearly all crops can
be grown if they are in suitable rotadons. The soil is
especially sui(ed to orchards and ben-y plantings. The
507 acres are in capability unit Ille— 1.
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 15 to 25
percent slopes (BrD). — These are the steepest Braddock
and Thui-mont soils. There has been active erosion on
only a few acres. The rest of the acreage was in forest,
which protecied (he soil against erosion. These areas
could be culti\'ated wi(h very careful management. This
soil occupies only 7-t acres. It is in capability unit IYe-3.
Brinkerton Series
The Brinkerion series consists of poorly drained soils
in areas of acid shale, particularly within large areas
of soils of the Berks and Afontevallo series. The Brinker-
ton soils occur in tipland depressions around drainage
heads, and along narrow foot slopes ])ordering small
drains. They were developed in fine materials that were
washed down from the surrounding areas of shale soils.
The Brinkerton soils have an extremely fine textured and
strongly mottled, bluish or greenish stibsoil, which is an
indication of poor aeration and drainage. They occur
only in small, sca((ered areas.
Profile of Brinkerton silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
in a paslured area just o(T Walnut Point Road, about
one-fourth mile sottth of Jones Chapel :
Ap 0 to 7 inches: dark-brown to olive-brown (lOYR 3/3 to
2.5Y 4/4) silt loam: moderate, medium to coarse,
crumb structure; hard to very hard when dry, fri-
able when moist, and moderately plastic and moder-
ately sticky when wet; roots plentiful; medium acid;
(tleiir to abrupt, smooth to slightly wavy boundary;
hori/on is 5 to 7 inches thick.
Bju 7 to 15 inches: light oliv(?-brown f2.5Y 5/4) shaly silty
clay loam; about 30 jjcrccnt medium, distinct mot-
tles of liglit olive gray (5Y 0/2); strong, medium,
blocky structure; v(;ry harfi whr^ii flry, firm to v(fry
firm when moist, and ])lastic and sticky wlx-n wet;
roots rather few; many fine but few larger fjoros;
shglitly acid; gradual, wavy to irr<;gular boundary;
horizon is 0 to 9 inches thick.
I^i'.'iK 15 to 31 inches: clay, evenly mottled with coarse, di.s-
liiict sj)lotches of gray and olive brown f5Y 0/1 and
2.5^' .5/0); very strong, coarse, blocky structure;
v(!ry hard when dry, very firm wh(!ii moist, and very
])lastic and very sticky when wet; a very few fine
roots; only a f(!W very fine, visible pores; medium
acid; abrupt, irregular boundary; horizon is 10 to
18 inches thick.
C,g 31 to 42 inches +: greenish-blue to robin's-egg blue
very fine clay; about 5 percent small specks and
narrow streaks of rusty brown; compound, weak,
very coarse, platy and weak, medium, blocky struc-
ture; v-ery hard when dry, very firm when moist, and
very plastic and very sticky when wet; a few scat-
tered, single, fine roots; very slowly permeable, with
no visible pores except for the widely spaced fine
root channels; blue color almost coniplet(?ly fades to
light gray on drying; neutral.
Most areas are more acid than the one described, wliich
was undoubtedly limed. Bltiish or greenish colors always
appear in the sul)stratum but may not be so s(rong as in
the profile described, and (he subsoil may not every-
where be so fine. Although draimige is poor and the soil
may be wet for long periods, the moisture-supplying
capacity of this soil is rather low. In many locations
there is temporary flooding during ])eriods of very heavy
or ])rolonged rains.
Brinkerton silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes (BtB). —
This is the otily IW-inkertoii soil mapped in the cotmty.
This soil has (he profile tha( has been described in detail.
Althotigli some slo[)es are as steep as 8 percent, most of
this soil is nearly level to slightly depressed. Erosion is
generally not a problem, but a few strongly sloping
spots have some rills or a few^ shallow gullies. The great-
est problem in managing this soil is that of drainage antl
wetness. For this reason, the 236 acres of this soil are in
capability tmit IIIw-1.
Buchanan Series
The Buchanan series consists of moderately well
drained soils that have a platy fragipan in the lower
stibsoil. These soils were de^-eloped in gravelly colluvial
deposits on the lower slopes of low mountains. The
parent material consists of fine-grained, acid sandstone
and, in a few [)laces, some acid sliale. Seeps and wet-
weather springs are fairly common.
These soils are rather low in productivity and are little
tised in the county except for forests. Cleared areas can
be used for general crops, btit there are many idle areas.
Little acreage is used for orchards or pasttires. The
Buchanan soils are not extensive in the county, occurring
mostly in small, widely scattered areas that amount to
less than 1,600 acres. Of this, approximately 600 acres
have been cleared, and the rest remains in forest.
Profile of Buchanan gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes, in a forested area jttst east of Long Eidge Road,
two-tenths of a nnle south of its intersection with LT.S.
18
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Highway No. 40, on the lower western slope of Tonolo-
way liidge :
A, 0 to '2 inches: black (lOYIl 2/1), highly organic gravelly
loam; weak, fine, crumb structure; soft to very
sHghtly hard when dry, very friable when moist,
and very slightly plastic but nonsticky when wet;
matted with fine roots; gravel consists chiefly of
angular sandstone; strongly acid; clear to abrupt,
wavy boundary; horizon is 1 to 2 inches thick.
.•\., 2 to 7 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4), gravelly,
heavy loam; moderate, coarse, crutnb structure;
moderately hard when dry, friable when moist, ancl
slightly jjlastic and slightly sticky wlien wet; roots
})lentiful; abundant fine and medium pores; very
strongly acid; abrupt, wavy boundary; horizon is
3 to 8 inches thick.
B21 7 to 18 inches: brownish-yellow (lOYR 0/0), somewhat
gravelly silty clay loam; strong, fine, subangular
blocky structure; hard when dry, moderately firm
when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; roots
rather few; many fine and some medium ])ores; very
strongly acid; clear, wavy boundary; horizon is 3 to
12 inches thick.
B22,n 18 to 34 inches: light yc^llowish-brown (2.5Y G/4) clay
loam; about 40 percent medium, distinct mottles of
r(>ddish yellow (7.5Y11 6/0); comj)ound, moderate,
medium, platy and strong, fine, subangular blocky
structure; very hard when dry, firm but brittle
when moist, and jjlastic and sticky when wet; no
visible roots; many fine but few large ])ores; very
strongly acid; clear, wavy boundary; horizon is 12
to 20 inches thick.
C 34 to 00 inches -f : disintegrated sandstone and shale
with some silt and clay of intricately mixed, dark
yellowish-brown and black colors; very weak, coarse,
platy structure; moderately hard when dry, firm
when moist, and slightly plastic and slightly sticky
when wet; no roots; verv strongly acid.
Nearly all areas of Buchanan soils are gi'avelh', but
in places the gravel content is low. Thei"e is generally
more gravel in the surface layer than in the subsoil. The
map indicates some stones in places and also some small
spots that are wetter than normal. In places the upper
subsoil is tliin or almost lacking, and in these areas the
mottled, platy lower subsoil is generally within about
10 inches of the surface.
Buchanan gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (BuA). —
This soil has the prolile tliat has been described, and
includes the best areas of Buchanan soils in the county.
Slopes are not strong and erosion is not a great hazard,
but the soil tends to be rather wet on these more level
areas. The 77 acres of this soil are in capability miit
IIw-1, and most of the acreage is cidtivated.
Buchanan gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (BuB2). — On this soil, erosion lias been
rather active. The slopes drain better than the more
level areas, so erosion is a greater hazard than wetness.
The 866 acres are in capability unit IIe-13.
Buchanan gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (BuC2). — Erosion is a serious hazard on
this soil. Crops can be grown with suitable rotations and
careful management. There are 562 acres, in capabilitv
unit IIIe-13.
Buchanan gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (BuD2). — This is the steepest Buchanan
soil. In most places the soil is still forested. In the few-
spots that have been cleai'ed, cultivation is hazardotis un-
less special protective measures are taken. The 86 acres
are in capability unit IVe-9.
Calvin Series
The Calvin series consists of shallow to moderately
deep, very well drained soils develoiK'd in materials that
weathered from acid, red shale, with some inclusions
of acid, red sandstone. The Cahiii soils are in the
western part of the county, generally along with soils
of the Berks, Litz, and Montevallo series.
The Calvin soils in some places have w'ell-defined
boundaries, but in many places they are so intricately
mixed with soils of the Berks or Montevallo series that
they cannot be sei)arated on the soil map. Such areas
of mixed soils are known as soil complexes.
Most areas of Calvin soils are still in forest, but some
have been cleared for general crops, orchards, or pastures.
Profile of Calvin channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded, in a forest 50 yards we.st of Rice
Koad, about six-tenths of a mile south of the Pennsylvania
State line :
Ai 0 to 1 inch: very dark brown (lOYR 2/2) channery loam;
weak to moderate, fine, granular structure; soft when
dry, very friable when moist, and slightly plastic and
slightly sticky when wet; roots abundant; contains
about 15 percent flat fragments of hard sandstone and
some shale; medium acid; abrupt, irregular boundary;
horizon is ]2 inch to 2 inches thick.
.^2 1 to 3 inches: reddish-brown (SYR 4/4) channery loam;
weak, medium, granular to crumb structure; slightly
hard when dry, friable when moist, and moderately
plastic and moderately sticky when wet ; roots plentiful;
about 30 percent sandstone, with some shale: strongly
acid; gradual, irregular boundary; horizon is 2 to 4
inches thick.
As 3 to 9 inches: reddish-brown Cl.^Wi 5/4) very channery
loam; moderate, fine, subangular blocky structure;
hard wlien dry, friable to firm when moist, and moder-
ately plastic and moderately sticky when wet; roots
rather ])lentiful; contains 40 to 50 percent flat, stone
fragments; very strongly acid; gradual to clear, ir-
regular boundary; horizon is 5 to 8 inches thick.
B2 9 to 21 inches: red (2.5YR 5/6), channery, heavy loam or
light silt loam; moderate, medium to coarse, blocky
and subangular blocky structure; very hard when dry,
firm when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet;
few roots; many fine and medium pores; some clay
skins in pores and on aggregates; very strongly acid;
clear, wavy boundary; horizon is 8 to 12 inches thick.
Ci 21 to 31 inches: variegated yellowish-red and reddish-
yellow (SYR 4/6 and 0/8) channery silt loam and
decomposed shale; inherited, coarse, laminar struc-
ture; hard when dry, firm when moist, and plastic
and sticky when wet; practically no roots: very
strongly acid; gradual, wavy to irregular boundary;
horizon is 8 to 12 inches thick.
C2 31 to 42 inches +: reddish-yellow (SYR 0/6), partially
decomposed shale with some hard sandstone; about
10 percent fine, illuvial material; fine material sticky
and plastic when wet; no roots; very strongly acid.
The depth to the substratum ranges from about 12 to
nearly 30 inches, with the average 18 to 20 inches. In some
1)1 aces the surface layer is slightly more sandy than that in
the profile describee!. Slopes are complex in some places,
but they are smooth and simple in most areas. The
Calvin soils are so well drained that they may be droughty
in periods of limited rainfall.
Calvin channery fine sandy loam, 3 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (CaB2). — This soil has a profile
like the one described as representative of the Calvin
series, except that the channery surface soil is fine sandy
loam and the subsoil is somewhat more friable than
the one described. Because of the sandiness, the soil tends
WASmN(;TON COrNTV, MAliVLANI)
19
(() l)c' soiiicwlmt (li-()u<ilit y, but the lia/.ard of cr'osioii is
])r()l)iil)Iy the most import ivnt maiiii<;iMn('nt problem. Near-
ly all of this soil occurs in the vicinity of Exline in the
extreme western part of the county. It is used for all
cro])s, but appears to be especially desirable for peach
and api)le orchards. The '27(5 acres are in capabilitv unit
Ile-lO.
Calvin channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (CcB2). — This soil has a prolile like the
one described. Areas of it make up most of tlie culti-
vated Calvin channery loams. Much of it is in forest.
Because of actual or ]wtential erosion, this soil is in
capability unit Ile-ld. There are 890 acres in the county.
Calvin channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (CcC2). — A prolile of this soil is (Icscrilied
as represent at i\e of the series. On these slopes erosion is
a serious hazard. The 1,978 acres are in capability unit
I He 10.
Calvin channery loam, 20 to .30 percent slopes (CcD). —
All but a few of the ()51 acres of this soil are still heavily
forested; hence, there has been little, if any, erosion.
Tiie slopes ai'e great enough, however, so that any at-
tempted cultivation would be hazardous. For this reason,
tliesoil is i)laced in cai)ability unit IVe-lO.
Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (CcD2). — This soil is like the one just de-
.scribed, except that there has been active erosion. It is
still suitable for some cultivation, however, if it is care-
fullv managed and protected. The 224 acres are in capa-
bility unit IVe-10.
Calvin channery loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes (CcE). —
Here are 859 acres that are steep but have not been eroded.
Most of the acreage is in forest and probably should
remain so. If cleared, it would be suitable for carefully
controlled grazing and perhaps for occasional hay crops.
It is in capability nnit VIe-3.
Calvin channery loam, 4.5 to 60 percent slopes (CcF). —
This is the steepest Calvin channery loam; the areas
are in forest and shoidd remain so. They are much too
steep for safe cultivation, and growing hay or pasture
would be hazardous and impractical. The 156 acres are
in caiiability unit VIIe-3.
Calvin shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (CmB2). — The profile of this Calvin soil is like the
one described in detail, except that the coarse fragments
ai'e almost entirely shale, and there ai"e very few, if any,
flat pieces of hard, red sandstone in the surface layer.
There may be some sandstone in the soil and substratum,
however. This soil occupies only 189 acres, but the areas
of it are important where they occur. Even on these
fairly gentle slopes, there is some erosion hazard. The soil
is classified in capability unit IIIs-2.
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (CmC2). — Erosion has been active on this Cal-
vin soil. If the soil is managed carefully, some cultivated
crops may be safely grown in fairly long rotations. This
soil is in capability unit IVe-32. There are 126 acres in
the county.
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely
eroded (CmC3). — On this soil, erosion luxs been so seveiv
that cultivated crops should be grown only occasionally,
and the soil should be in sod crops, such as hay or jiasture,
most of the time. Included with this shaly soil are some
Id acres llial are somewhat cliaiiiiery in the surface layer.
All of tlie MS acres of (his soil ai-e in capabilily luiit
\'ie 3.
Calvin shaly loam, 20 to .30 percent slopes (CmD). —
This ste(>p soil is not ei'oded, because the areas of it have
been well i)i-o(ecled by foi-ests. If it were cultivated,
however, (he ei-osion luizard would be gi-ea(. The ]]2
aci-es of this soil are in capability unit Vie-.'}.
Calvin shaly loam, .30 to 45 percent slopes (CmE). —
Although Iheri' has been little oi' ik) erosion on (his
soil, cultivation should not be attempted. The soil could
produce pasture, and grazing or hay crops could be
attempted if managed carefully enough. There ai-e 204
acres, in capability unit VlIe-3.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 0 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (CnB2). — This soil mapping unit and
the next four described consist of mixtui'es of the reddish-
brown to red Calvin chaniu'iy loam and the yelloAvish-
brown Berks channery loam. The areas of Calvin and of
Berks soils in these units are distinct enough, but they are
so small and intricately mixed that separation on the map
was impractical. The most gentle and least ei'oded slopes
of the complex are in this soil unit, whicli lias an area of
1,565 acres and is in capability unit IIs-7.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (CnC2). — This mixtui-e of Calvin and
Berks soils occupies 2,798 acres and is in capability unit
IIIe-32.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 3 to 20 percent slopes,
severely eroded (CnC3). — In this mixture of channery
loams, there are some small spots of shaly loams. The
soils have been too severely eroded for cultivation, except
in very long rotations with especially good management
and protection. The ai-eas can be used safely for hay
crops and pasture or for sodded orchards. The 320 acres
in the county are in capability unit IVe-32.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (CnD2). — Most of the areas of
this mapping unit have remained in forest, and, although
there has been some erosion, it has not been severe. Be-
cause of the slope, the hazard of erosion would be great
if cultivation were attempted. Therefore, the 1,289 acres
are in capability unit IVe-32.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 30 to 60 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (CnF2). — These very steep soils occupy
1,315 acres. Woodland would be the safest use. The soils
are in capability unit ^TIe-3.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 0 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (CoB2). — This unit and the
next four described are intricate mixtures of Calvin shaly
loam and Montevallo shaly loam. On these shaly and
dominantly thin soils, erosion is l^s of a management
problem than droughtiness and low fertility. The 103
acres of this mapping unit are in capability unit IIIs-2.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (CoC2). — Slopes of these soils
are great enough that erosion is the most significant man-
agement problem. The soils are also thin and droughty.
There are 178 acres in capability unit IVe-32.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (CoD2). — Because of the slope
and the great hazard of erosion, cultivation of this
mapping unit is hazardous. Some grazing can be done
20
SOIL SUHVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
if it is caivfully inaniiat'd and coiil rolled. Tlio H').') acres
are in cajjahilil y iiiiil •">.
Caivin-Montevallo shaly loams, 20 to 45 percent
slopes, severely eroded (CoE3). — Little surface soil is left
on these stt'ej), severely eroded areas, and there are many
^•allies. In some places almost all the soil has been iv-
iiioved by erosion. These areas ai'e of little value in a<i-i-i-
culture, except for reforestation. 'Die i;)4 acres aic in
capability unit VJIe-;').
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 30 to (iO percent
slopes (CoF). — Tliese are steep areas that ha\e not been
eioded. because they remained almost entirely in forest.
They are too steep for cultivation or for practical <ri'a/>in<>-
and should remain in forest. There are 255 acres, in
capability unit \'Ile-;5.
Chandler Series
Till" Chandler series consists of moderately deep, \v(dl-
drained to somewhat excessively drained soils that have
a weakly de\elopt'd horizon. The (Chandler soils de-
veloped in materials that weathered from |)hyHite, a
fine-iii'ained, metamorphosed schist containin<:- consider-
able mica. These soils are on fairly steep uplands and
low mountains in the southern part of the county. They
are mostly in the area just north of Harpers Feri-y.
The (Miandler soils are commoidy associated with the
Hazel soils, which are even shallower to bedi-ock. They
occnpy less than 1,000 acres.
A ii'ood part of the acreage has been cleared and is used
for <ienei"al farmin<:' and foi- orchards. These soils are
extremely subject to ei'osion and nuist be very cand'ully
managed.
I'rotile of Chandler chaiuiery silt loam, () to 10 percent
slopes, in a foi'ested area two-tenths of a mile west of
Harpers Ferry Road, about three-tenths of a mile
south of its intersection with Tlotfnuister Koad :
An 0 to 1 inch: very dark grayisli-browii (lOYR 3/2) chun-
nery silt loam; moderate, fine, cniiiib structure: soft
when diy, very friable when moist, slightly i)lastic
and slightly sticky when wet; roots abundant; about
10 percent phyllite fragments: neutral; clear, smooth
boundary; horizon is '2 to 1 inch thick.
A12 1 to 3 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4) channery silt
loam; moderate, medium, crumb structure: moder-
ately hard when dry, friable when moist, and slightly
plastic and slightly sticky when wet; roots plentiful;
many fine and medium pores: about 25 percent stone
fragments: slightly acid: clear, wavy boundary; hori-
zon is 1 to 3 inches thick.
A3 3 to 9 inches: brownish-yellow (lOYR 6/6), channery,
heavy silt loam or light silty clay loam: weak,
medium, subangular blocky structure; moderately
hard to hard when dry, moderately firm when moist,
and plastic and sticky when wet; roots rather plenti-
ful; many fine and some medium and larger pores;
about 20 ])ercent stone fragments; very strongly acid;
clear, irregular boundarv; horizon is 5 to 10 inches
thick.
Ci 9 to 24 inches: brownish-yellow (lOYR 6/6) very chan-
nery silt loam: inherited laminar structure; moder-
ately hard when dry, firm when moist, and moderately
plastic and sticky when wet; few roots; many fine
and medium and some large pores; 60 to 70 percent
stone fragments of all sizes, mostly well disintegrated;
very strongly acid: gradual, irregular boundary; hori-
zon is 12 to 20 inches thick.
C2 24 to 48 inches + : yellow (lOYR 7/6) mass of partially
decomposed fragments of phyllite; hard when dry,
\ cry firm and coin])acl when moist, and slightly plas-
tic and slightly sticky when W(>t ; a few large; tree
roots; rather slowly i)erineable; about S5 to 95 ])er-
cent stone fragments, the remainder fine materiiU
with abundant mica flakes; extremely acid; verj'
thick, grading with depth to hard, gray, greenish-
gray, and yellowish-gray phyllite.
There is considerable range in dej)th to parent material.
In some spots the subsoil has a reddish cast but is other-
\\ ise like that of the soil described. There are occasional
stones, flagstones, or large slabs of phyllite on and within
the soil. Some areas are almost free from stone fragments
in the surface layer, thus are silt loam rather than chan-
nei'v silt loam in texture. These areas are not shown
separately on the soil maj), so all of the Chandler soils
are imditferentiated nnits of Chandler silt loam and
channery silt loam.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 0 to 10
percent slopes (CrB). — This is the soil described above,
except that in some areas there are very few, if any, ])ieces
of phyllite in the surface layei'. This miit includes only
gently sloj)ing soils that ha\e had little, if any, erosion,
and they can be cidtivated safely with good management,.
Tlic No acres are in ca])abilily unit He ill.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 3 to 10
percent slopes, moderately eroded (CrB2). — Erosion has
been acti\-e on the areas of this mapping unit. Better
management and longer rotations are re(iuired for safe
cidtivation than on the similar mieioded soil. The 360
acres are in ca])ability tniit He-lo.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 10 to 20
percent slopes, moderately eroded (CrC2). — These slop-
ing soils are subject to erosion. Hotations must be long
for safe cidtivation, with oidy infre(]uent row cro])s in
the cropping system and with long periods of sod croj)S,
such as hay, ])asture, or sodded orchards. The 342 acres
of this mapping luiit aiv in ca])ability imit IVe-10.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 20 to 30
percent slopes (CrD). — iiecause these soils have remained
in forest cover, they have not been eroded. It would be
best to keep them in forest, although they could be grazed
with care after establishment of a good sod. The 07 acres
are in capability unit VIe-3.
Chewacla Series
The Chewacla series consists of modertitely well drained
soils on recent alluvial deposits along some of the smaller
streams. The soils consist of materials that were washed
originally from areas of soils developed from crystalline
rocks — in Washington County mainly from soils of the
Myersville, Fauquier, Highfield, Chandler, and Hazel
series.
Because the Chewacla soils consist of recently deposited
materials, there has not been sufficient time for the de-
A'elopment of a B horizon in tliem. They are on the same
flood plains as the well-drained Congaree soils and the
poorly drained Wehadkee soils.
]Most areas of Chewacla soils are small, and many of
them have not been cleared. When cleared, they are
used mostly for pasture and hay crops, Init corn and other
general crops are sometimes grown.
WASI TON COIIXTV, MAHVLAM)
21
Prolilc of ( "licw ;icl;i sill loam, in a pasdircd area on
the Mood plain of a small creek 1 mile iiorlli of Darjiaii.
just oil' the Ilai pei-s Kerry Koad :
A|, 0 t(i S iiu'lu's: (lark grayish-brown (2.5Y 4/2) silt loam;
weak, iiiediimi, cruiiil) structure; moderately hard
when dry, friable when moist, and sligiitly plastic and
slightly sticky when wet; roots aijundani; strongly
acid; clear, smooth boundarv; horizon is (1 to 8 inches
thick.
C 8 to 33 inches: light oli\-e-brown (2.5Y 5/4) silt loam;
al)out 15 percent very small specks of gray; moderate,
medium, crumb structure; moderately hard when dry,
somewhat firm when moist, and moderately plastics
and sticky when wet; roots ])lentiful in upper portion,
fewer below; many fine and medium |)ores; very
strongly acid; abrui)t, smooth to wavy boiuidary;
horizon is 20 to 30 inclies thick.
Dk 33 to 42 inches | : ])ale-olive (5Y 0 4) gnuclly sandy
loam; about 30 j)ercent medium, distinct mottles of
brown, yellow, and gray; moderate, medium, i)laty
structure; hard when dry, moderately firm when
moist, and slightly plastic and slightly sticky when
wet; no roots; moderately slowly permeable to slowly
permeable; aljout 20 jjcrcent waterworn gravel; ex-
tremely acid; grades with depth to gravelly sandy
material.
The text lire of the surface layer ranges from sandy loam
to silt loam in the series, and there are gravelly and
stony phases. Some areas are somewhat more brown
than the profile described, especially where the soil mate-
rials originated in areas of reddish soils, such as the
Fauqnier. The Chewacia soils are not too poorly drained
for many crops, but they are limited in crop production
by the tendency to be flooded. The water table will vary,
and in wet seasons it is likely to be near the surface for
considei'al)le jieriods.
Chewacia gravelly sandy loam (Cs). — This soil is like
the one described, except that the surface layer is sandier
and there is consideral)le waterworn gravel throughout.
The soil is used mostly for late corn or for pasture and hay.
It is in capability unit IIw-7, but, if very frequently
damaged by flooding, it shoidd be managed for grazing or
perennial sod crops. The soil occu])ies 20G acres.
Chewacia silt loam (Ct). — This soil has the profile that
has been described. It occupies nearly level flood plains.
It is in capability unit IIw-7, but should be managed
for sod crops and grazing if damaged by frequent over-
flows. Only an examination of eacli area of these soils
and a consideration of their known liistoi v can deteriuine
whether or imt there is frequent overflow damage. This
information cannot be shown on the soil maps. There
are oil acres of this soil.
Chewacia stony silt loam (Cu). — This soil is on nai row
flood plains, mostly along the western slopes of South
Mountain between Pen ^lar and Pondsville. It consists
largely of local alluvium Avashed down from adjacent
slopes that are generally occupied by stony Highfield or
Fauquier soils. Stones and, in some places, boulders are
so conunon that no attempt to farm this soil has been
made. Included in these flood ])lains are small areas
somewhat better drained than normal, and also some wet
spots. The 157 acres of this soil are in capability unit Vs-2.
Congaree Series
The Congaree series consists of deep, well-drained soils
on recent alluvium of the flood plains. These deposits con-
sist of out wash from ai-eas of soils on crystalline rocks.
I'lie (Ongaree soils are mostly in I lie soutlieni pari of
I he coiiniy near Harpers Fei'i-y. On the same flood plains
aic the modei'ately well drained ('liewacja soils and I lie
pooily drained ^^'l'Iladkee soils.
The Congaree soils are of very little e.xteiil or iiii-
porlaiice in W'ashiiigloii Counly. .Mlliongh they are good
soils, they occupy very small and narrow areas, and
amount to less than 100 acres. l>otli the silt loam and the
gravelly loam occur, but, because; of their ncit small
extent, they are mapped togclhcr as ( 'oiigaree sill loam
and gravell,y loam.
Profile of Congaree sill loam, in a foresied area just off
Shinan Koad, IVi niiles nort liw est of its >ont h intersect ion
with Harpers Ferry Koad:
A| 0 to 5 inches: dark-brown (lOYIl 4/3) silt loam; weak, fine
to medium, crumb structure; slightly to moderately
hard when dry, friable when moist, and slightly pla.stic
and slightly sticky when wet; roots abundant; slightly
acid to neutral; gradual, smooth boundary; horizon
is 4 to 7 inches thick.
C 5 to 39 inches: dark yellowisii-i)r(jwn (lOYR 4'4) silt loam
or heavy fine sandy loam; no apparent structure;
slightly hard when dry, friable to very friable when
moist, and moderately plastic but iionsticky when wet;
roots plentiful in uj)per portion; moderately per-
meable; contains a few mica flakes; slightly acid;
clear to abrupt, smooth tjoundary; horizon is 30 to
40 inches tliiek.
D 39 to 48 inches +: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4) , stratified
sand, silt, and gravel; no structure; consistence var-
iable; no roots; many mica flakes; strongly acid.
Some profiles of Congaree soils are a little more reddish,
particularly in the upper C horizon, than the one de-
scribed. Gravel may be present throughout the profile.
These soils are well drained and of fairly high fertility
and moisture-supplying capacity. However, many areas
in Washington County are so small that they have not
been cleared for use.
Congaree silt loam and gravelly loam (Cv). — The Con-
garee soils are in capability unit I-(). These soils are
suitable for nearly all crops. They do have a hazard of
flooding, but are flooded very infref[uently, and corn
and other crops can be planted after the danger of flood-
ing has passed. There are only 86 acres of these soils
in the county.
Corydon Series
Tlie Corydcm series consists of shallow soils developed
from limestone of various degrees of i)urity in the Great
Valley of Washington County. The Coi-ydon soils gen-
erally are on long ridges somewhat above most of the
valley. They are young soils, shallow to bedrock, and
many areas are rocky to extremely rocky because of the
many outcrops of limestone.
Corydon soils diifer from the Hagerstown soils of the
same valley. They are much less red than the Hagerstown
soils, have a nutch more weakly developed profile, and
are invariably shallow to bedrock. The Hagerstown soils
are normally deep.
The Corydon soils are itsed extensively for pasture.
Where there are few or no outcrops of limestone, they
are sometimes used for general cro})S. but they tend to
be droughty because of their shallow depth over the rock.
22
SOIL SUK\'EY SERIES 19 5 9, NO. 17
Pi'olilc ol" CorvdoH clay loniu, 0 lo l) ptTcont sloj)es,
in an area of cntover forest about 200 ysirds west of
Fairview Church Koad, three-tenths of a mile south of
the Pennsylvania State line:
Ai 0 to 4 inches: dark-brown (7. SYR 3/2) clay loam or heavy
silty clay loam; moderate, medium, crumb structure;
moderately hard to hard when dry, friable to some-
what firm when moist, and moderately plastic and
sticky wiien wet; roots abundant; slightly acid; clear
to abrupt, smooth to wavy boundary; horizon is 1
to 4 incln^s thick.
B2 4 to 13 inches: strong-brown (7. SYR 5/8) clay loam, very
slightly variegated or variable in color; moderate,
medium to strong, blocky structure; very hard when
dry, firm when moist, and [)lastic and sticky when
wet; roots rather plentiful; many fine but few large
I)ores; slightly acid; abru()t, wavy to irregular bound-
ary; horizon is 2 to 12 inches thick.
•C 13 to 14 inches: variegated reddish and yellowish to lUmost
white, structureless gritty clay; very hard when dry,
firm when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet;
mildly alkaline; abrupt, irregular to l)roken boundary;
horizon is 1 to 3 inches thick.
Dr 14 inches +: hard, dark-gray limestone containing many
fine ([uartz im])urities.
Tliere is rather great variability in the (yorydon soils.
Colors ranoe from yellowish throuah hi'owii to almost
red, and depth ranges from practically none to as muc-h
as 20 inches or more. Either the A, H, or C horizon may
be absent in places, especially the C horizon, where the
subsoil rests abruptly on bedrock. The limestone bedrock
may be fairly pure or may contain consideral)le chert or,
in places, shale.
The Corydon soils are well drained, and the very
shallow areas are excessively drained. They tend to be
droughty, and have a low or very low moisture-suppl3'ing
capacity. Tliey are fertile enough and would be i)roductive
if moisture deficiences could be corrected.
Corydon clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (CwA). —
This is the best soil of the Corydon series in the county.
It has the prolile described. There are few outcrops of
limestone. Tlie clay loam surface soil tends to be rather
hard and intractible when only sliglitly too dry, and sticky
and plastic and tends to form clods if it is i)lowed
when slightly too wet. Even at optimum moisture content,
the soil is difficult to plow and cultivate. The 309 acres
of this soil are classified in capability unit IIIs-2.
Corydon clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (CwB2). — The slope of this clayey soil is great
enough that runoff is fairly rapid. The resuUing erosion
hazard is probably of more significance than the difficulty
of handling, although that problem is also an important
one. The 1,000 acres of this soil are in capability unit
IIIe-30.
Corydon clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (CwC2). — This soil tends to be shallower than
the more gently slo2)ing Corydon soils. There is greater
danger of erosion, and there may be more outcrops of
rock. With very good management, crops can be grown,
although most of this soil is used for pasture. The 200
acres are in capability unit IVe-1.
Corydon extremely rocky clay loam, 0 to 15 percent
slopes (CxC). — This soil has a profile like the one described
in detail, but there are extremely numerous outcrops of
limestone. These outcrops and extremely shallow areas
occupy as much as 90 percent of the surface in many
places. Tillage of any kind is out of the question, and the
surface is too rocky for mowing, except by hand. Best
uses of this soil would be for woodlots or for very limited
grazing. The 405 acres are in capability unit Vlls-l.
Corydon very rocky clay loam, 3 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (CyE2). — This soil has a pi'olile like
the Corydon clay loam described, but it has many outcrops
of limestone and areas of thin soil over bedrock. It is not
nearly so rocky, however, as (he Corydon extremely rocky
clay loam ; in most places between 25 to 40 percent of the
surface is affected by rock. Erosion has been active in
many places. Tillage is not imj)ossible, but, because of the
rocks, steep sloi)e, aiul erosion hazard, it is generally im-
practical. The soil is best suited to pasture or woodland
and is in capability unit VIs-1. There are 857 acres.
Dekalb Series
The Dekalb series consists of excessively drained, ex-
tremely acid, shallow, stony soils on light-colored, quartz-
it ic .sandstone in high pai'ts of the county.
Profile of Dekalb very stony saiuly loam. 0 to 25 per-
cent slopes, in a forested ai'ea near the sununit of Sideling
Hill, on Eiser Road three-tenths of a mile south of its
intersection with U.S. Highway No. 40:
Ai 0 to 1/2 inch: black (lOYR 2/1) very stony sandy loam;
weak, fine, granular structure; soft when dry, very
friable when moist, and nonijlastic and nonsticky
when wet; roots plentiful; very strongly acid; abrupt,
wavy boundary; horizon is 0 to 1 incli thick.
A2 1/2 to 1 inch: dark-gray (SY 4/1) very stony sandy loam;
single-grain structure; very low density with ashy
appearance; soft and floury when dry, loose when
moist, and noii])lastic and nonsticky when wet; roots
plentiful; very rapidly permeable; extremely acid;
abrupt, wavy boundary; liorizon is 0 to 1 inch thick.
B 1 to 15 inches: yellow (lOYR 7/6) very stony and very
channery sandy loam; very weak, medium crumb to
granular structure; soft to very slightly hard when
dry, loose to very h'iable when moist, and nonplastic
and nonsticky when wet; a few large, woody roots;
very rapidly permeable; 50 to 70 percent stones and
flagstones of c(uartzitic sandstone; extremely acid;
gradual, irregular boundarv; horizon is 10 to 20 inches
thick.
C 15 to 43 inches: brownish-yellow (lOYR 6/6), extremely
channery and stony loamy sand or gritty sandy loam;
no structure; loose when dry or moist, and nonplastic
and nonsticky when wet; a very few woody roots;
very rapidly to extremely permeable; ranges from
about 70 percent rock fragments in upper part to
almost solid rock at 43 inches; extremely acid; grad-
ual to abrupt, irregular to broken boimdarv; horizon
is 2 to 6 feet thick.
Dr 43 inches -|- : very hard, light-colored, quartzitic sand-
stone.
Either of the surface layers may be ab.sent, more often
the Aj horizon. Both are absent in cultivated or eroded
areas. In places there is a very thin, dark-brown, stained
layer at the upper boundary of the B horizon. This is
a distinct soil horizon, but, when present, it is seldom
as nmch as one-fourth inch thick.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams, 0 to 25
percent slopes (DeD). — This mapping unit consists of both
Dekalb and Leetonia very stonj' sandy loams. These soils
are not suited to crops or pasture. Most of the areas are
in forest, and foi-estry is probably their most economic
use. There are 1,762 acres, in capability unit VIIs-2.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams, 25 to
45 percent slopes (DeE). — On these steep soils the manage-
"WASIIIN'GTOX rorXTV. MAini.AM)
23
ment ol' i hhIht is diHicull. However, there is little other
opportunity for fcoiioinic ivtiii'ii. TIumv niv KOaG acres,
ill capahilit y unit VIIs--J.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams, 45 to
60 percent slopes (DeF). — Tht'sc sti-cp slopes arc so i'ou<ili
and inaccessible that they are almost ini))ossil)le to man-
age as liml)erlan(l. They remain in forest, how-
ever, for watershed protection and wildlife cover. They
sliould he useful foi- i>ark and i-ecreational ))Ui-poses. The
201 acres aiv in canability unit VIIs-2.
Dekalb and Lenew very stony loams, 0 to 25 percent
slopes (DkD). — This unit consists cliielly of vei-y stony
loams of tlie Dekalb and the Lelunv series. The Dekalb
soil of tliis unit has a prolile like the one described in
detail, except that it is somewhat finer textured throntrli-
out. The jirofile of the Lehew soil is like the one de-
scribed for the Lehew series. Included also are some small
areas in wliich the stones are remnants of hard, cherty
limestone. These soils are much too stony for cultivation,
and a'ra/.iiia' would be ))oor. liazardous, and impractical.
Woodhind is the most suitable and economic use. The 281
acres aic in capability unit VlIs-2.
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 25 to 45 percent
slopes (DkE). — These are steep soils. iVlthough they are
in capability unit VIIs-2, their steepness and roughness
limit harvesting of the trees that will grow, so the soils
are less useful than those that are not so steep. There
are 493 acres, of which about 76 acres have a slope steeper
than 45 percent, and about 11 acres contain some outcrops
of limestone.
Duflfield Series
The Duffield series consists of deep, well-drained soils
in many parts of the limestone valleys on limestone inter-
bedded with thin seams of shale. The Duffield soils have
a profile similar to that of the Hagerstown soils, but they
are dominantly yellowish instead of reddish and the sub-
soil is not quite so fine textured. The Duffield soils are
also similar to the Frankstown soils, but they are deeper,
on the average, and their parent material contains less
shale and chert.
The Duffield soils are most extensive in the central
and eastern parts of the Great Limestone Valley. They
are excellent agricultural soils and, next to the Hagers-
town, they are the most extensive soils in the county. The
Duffield soils are fertile and highly productive under good
management. They are limited in use only by the hazard
of erosion and, in some places, by stones or rock outcrops.
Profile of Duffield silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, in a
cultivated area just south of U.S. Highway No. 40, two-
tenths of a mile northwest of its intersection with Cool
Hollow Road:
Ap 0 to 8 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4) silt loam;
nioflorato, fine, crumb structure; slightly to moder-
alcly hard when dry, friable when moist, and moder-
ately i)lastic and moderately sticky when wet; roots
abundant; slightly acid to neutral; clear, smooth
boundary; horizon is 6 to 8 inches thick.
Bji 8 to 14 inches: brownish-yellow (lOYR 6/6), light silty
clay loam; moderate, fine, suVjangular blocky struc-
ture; moderately hard when dry, friable to slightly
firm when moist, and moderately plastic and moder-
ately sticky when wet; roots plentiful; many fine and
medium pores; upper surface apparently a plowsole.
being Hoiiiewhat (;oini)uct((l ; incfliiim acid; gradual,
wavv bouiidurv; horizon \h 4 to 7 inches thick.
I I to 28 inciics: fcddisii-yellow (7. SYR <)/6j silty cluy
loam; strong, medium, blocky and Niibangiilar blocky
structure; iiard to v(!ry hard wIkmi dry, firm wlieii
moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; roots plenti-
ful in upper portion; al)iindant fine; and some iiie'iiuMi
pores; patciiy, self-colrtred clay skins and some scat
tered, black films on aggregates; slightly acid; grad-
ual, wavy boundary; horizon is 12 to 20 inches thick.
B23 28 to 48 inches: variegated reddish-yellow (7.5YR 6/6 and
7/8) silty clay hjani; strong, medium to coarse, blocky
structure; very hard when dry, firm wh(!n moist,
and plastic and sticky when wet; practically no roots;
mofierately slowly permeable; stnjiig but fiiscontin-
uous, self-colored clay skins and abundant black films
on aggregates; neutral; gradual, wavy boundary;
horizon is 12 to 24 inches thick.
C 48 to 60 inches + : speckled, streaked, and variegated
strong-brown, reddish-yellow, pale-yellow, and black
silty clay loam containing about 50 percent partially
decomposed hard shale; weak, coarse, irregular,
blocky to slightly laminar structure; hard when dry,
very firm when moist, and plastic and very sticky
when wet; no roots; neutral.
The thickness of the soil is variable, l)ut all Duffield soils
are normally deep. Dei)th to the substratum ranges from
about 3() to as much as GO inches. In places a few frag-
ments of shale are in the profile. There may be occasional
outcrops of shaly limestone, and some areas are very
rocky to extremely rocky because of outcropping ledires.
Nearly all crops are grown on the Duffield soils, including
much hay and pasture. Only small areas are in orchard,
however, probably because air drainage is not good enough
in most valley positions.
Duffield extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 15 percent
slopes (DuC). — This .soil is like the silt loam described ex-
cept that from about 40 to nearly 90 percent of the
surface is occupied by outcrops of shaly limestone. Slopes
are not great and erosion has not been especially active,
but the soil is much too rocky for cultivation or for good
pasture management. This soil will furnish some very
limited grazing, and it makes excellent woodlots. There
are 1.279 acres, in cai)ability unit VIIs-1.
Duffield silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (DmA). — This
soil has the profile that is described as representative of
the series. It is the best Duffield soil, suited to all crops,
highly productive, and not subject to deterioration under
ordinary good farming practices. The 3,352 acres are
in capability unit I-l.
Duffield silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (DmB2). — These moderate slopes of Duffield silt
loam have had some soil removed hy erosion, but the soil is
still an excellent one and is highly productive under good
management. This soil occupies 16,338 acres. It is in
capability unit IIe-1. About 32 scattered acres have been
sevei'ely eroded.
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (DmC2). — This soil is suited to all the crops of the
area, but it should have longer rotations and more careful
erosion-control measures than the similar but more gently
sloping soil. The 4.739 acres are in capability unit IIIe-1.
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, severely
eroded (DmD3). — On this soil, erosion has been so dam-
ajrinfr that creat care must be used if the soil is to con-
tinue to produce any clean-cultivated crops. Long rota-
tions are in order, so that the soil is under sod most of
the time. The 99 acres are in capability unit IVe-1.
24
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 19 59, NO. 17
Duffield silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (DmD2). — Tliis soil is fairly stt'cp, hut t'i'osiou
has not been especially active. Tjont? rotations, with sod
crops at least 4 out of 5 yeai'S, will lielp protect the soil
against further damage. There are G69 acres, in capabil-
ity unit lVe-1.
Duffield very rocky silt loam, li to 15 percent slopes
(DvC). — This soil is vei-y much like the othei's of the series
that haA'e a similar range of slope, except that from about
12;") to 10 percent of tlie surface is occupied by limestone
outcrops. In some places between outcrops, the soil is
shallow or very shallow over ledges of limestone. The
soil is too rocky foi- regular cultivation. Tt is e.xcellent
for permanent pasture or for woodland, l>ul. it' pastures
are overgrazed, tlie soil will be sul)ject to some deteriora-
tion. There are 1,<S!).5 acres, in ca])al)ility unit A^Is-1.
Duffield very rocky silt loam, 8 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (DvE2). — This soil is also \ ery locky :
the slope of sonu> areas is steep, and ei'osion has been
active. Tf used I'oi- well-managed improved pasture or for
woodlaiul, rui-th(M' erosion can be pi'actically eliiuinalcd.
The 17S acres ai'c in capahilily unit VIs-1.
Diinmore Series
The Dunmore series consists of w ell draiiu'd, deep soils
with a very tine textured subsoil, on ridges of cherty liuu'-
stone in the western part of the county. These ridges lie
above most of the other soils of the iunnediate areas.
Higher than the Dunmore soils, in some places on the
same ridges, are soils of the Elliber and Frederick series.
The Duiunore soils are not extensive, since they occu])y
less than 100 aci-es, but they are impoi-tant where they
occur. They are very productive under good management
and are used for all crops. Tn the Hancock area, the Dun-
more soils are especially well liked for orchards.
Profile of Dunmore cherty silt loam, •') to 8 ])ercent
slo])es, moderately eroded, in a woodland 7.") yards east of
T^.S. Highway No. ^r22 just north of Hancock and about
six-tenths of a mile south of the Pennsylvania State line:
A, 0 to t) inches: very dark Ijrown (lOYR 2 2) cherty .'iilt
loam; strong, fine, crumb to granular structure;
slightly to moderately hard when dry, frial)le when
moist, and slightly plastic and slightly sticky when
wet; roots abundant; strongly acid; clear to abrupt
boundary; horizon is 4 to 6 inches thick.
A.. 6 to II inches: dark-brown (lOYR 4/3) cherty silt loam;
moderate, fine, crumb to granular structure; moder-
ately hard when dry, friable when moist, and moder-
ately i)lastic and moderately sticky when wet; roots
plentihil; many pores of all sizes; medium acid;
clear, abrupt boundary; horizon is 3 to 6 inches
thick.
B21 11 to 21 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/6) very cherty
silty clay loam; moderate, fine to medium, sub-
angular ijlocky structure; moderately hard to hard
when dry, moderately firm when moist, and plastic
and sticky when wet; roots rather few; many fine
and medium pores; medium acid; gradual, wavy
boundary; horizon is 8 to 18 inches thick.
Bs.n 21 to 40 inches: strong-brown (7.5YR 5/8), cherty, heavy
clay loam to clay; very slightly and faintly streaked
with reddish yellow and yellowish red (7.5YR 6/8
and SYR 5/6) ; strong, medium to coarse, blocky
structure; hard when dry, firm when moist, and
sticky and very plastic when wet; a very few roots;
many fine but few large pores; thin, self-colored
clay skins common; strongly to very strongly acid;
gradvial, wavy boundary; horizon is 14 to 20 inches
thick.
Bat 40 to 54 inches -|- : coarsely vari{!gated, yellowish-red
and yellowish-brown (5YR 5/6 and 1()YR 5/8) clay;
comixHuifi, weak, medium, i)laty and very strong,
tncdium, l)locky strut^ture; hard when dry, firm
when moist, and plastic and sticky wlien wet; a
few isolatecl roots; conunon, h(>avy, red clay skins
and a few black films on aggregates; ])ractical]y
no chert; strongly lo very strongly acid; grades
with depth, first to disintegrated limestone, and
finall\' to hard, cherty limestone.
'J'here is very little vai'iation in the Dunmore soils in
Washington County. .Mlhougli they ai-e well enough
di-aim^d, these soils ha\e slow ovei'all permeahilily because
of the hiu'-textured lower subsoils.
Dunmore cherty silt loam, to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (DyB2). — Most of this soil is used for
orchards. The .soil is well suited to this use and is suitable
for all the conunon cro])S. There are 44 acres, in capa-
bility luiit IIe-1.
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (DyC2). — This soil needs especially
good management lo control erosion, as ruiu)tf is ra])id
on a soil with heavy subsoil on such slopes. This soil is
suitable for all crops. It occu[>ies 50 acres and is in capa-
bility unit llle 1."
Diinning^ Series
The Dunning series consists of very poorly drained,
dark -colored soils in recently deposited alluvial materials.
The T)unning soils are on flood plains and are nuule up
chiefly of materials washed from aivas of limestone and
limestone soils. They are })resent, along with soils of
the Huntington, Tjiiulside, Melvin, and in places the
Warners series, on these flood plains, mostly along the
smaller streams within the limestone valley sections of
the cQunty.
The Dunning soils are fairly extensi\e and are wide-
spread in the county. They were )U)t mapped by them-
selves in this county. They were mapped only in com-
bination with many small areas of Melvin soils, which
have a lighter gray surface layer and are not quite so
poorly di'ained. The Melvin soils ai'e described elsewhere
in their regular alpliabetical order.
Profile of Dunning silty clay loam, in a natural meadow
area about 75 yards west of State Koad No. ()4, two-tenths
of a mile north of its intersection with Gardenhour Road:
A„ 0 to 3 inches: very dark brown (lOYR 2/2) silty clay
loam; no apparent structure; hard to very hard
when dry, friable when moist, plastic and sticky
when wet; roots abundant; this horizon appar-
ently consists of fairly recent overwash material;
mildly alkaline; gradual, smooth boundary; hori-
zon is 2 to 4 inches thick.
Ai2g 3 to 6 inches: very dark grayish-brown (lOYR 3 2)
silty clay loam; about 20 percent medium, faint
mottles of dark olive gray (5Y 3/2) ; very weak,
coarse, crumb structure; hard when dry, friable
when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet;
roots plentiful to abundant; this horizon also is
apparently fairly recent overwash; mildly alka-
line; clear to abrupt, smooth boundary; horizon
is 2 to 3 inches thick.
Ai3gb 6 to 12 inches: dark olive-gray (5Y 3/2) silty clay loam;
about 10 percent medium, distinct mottles of dark
yellowish brown (lOYR 4/4); very weak, coarse,
blocky structure; moderately hard to hard when
dry, friable to rather firm when moist, and plastic
and sticky when wet; roots fairly plentiful; gritty,
containing a noticeable amount of fine and medium
WASIIINC'ION COUN'rV, MAKVLAM)
25
siiiul; this is ;i|)|);u'('ii( ly u iiiiich iililcr A iidri/.Dii
tlint iiius l)c'cii buried l)y ovorwasii ; mildly alka-
line; abru])!, smooth houndary; horizon is 4 to 8
inciics thick.
Ci„ 12 to IS inches: black (5Y 2/1) very fine sandy clay
loam slightly streaked with olive (5Y 4/3); com-
pound, weak, very coarse platy and weak, nu>diuni
to coarse, blocky structure; nio<lerat(>ly hard to
hard when dry, firm when moist, and sticky and
very plastic when wet; few roots; abundant very
fine pores; neutral; gradual, smooth boundary;
horizon is 5 to <S inches thick.
18 to 32 inches: very dark gray (5Y 3/1), very dense
fine sandy day with a slight bhiish cast; moder-
ate, medium, platy and moderate, fine, blocky
structure; hard when dry, firm and brittle when
moist, and sticky and very plastic when wet; a
\-ery few roots in upper i)ortion; slowly permeable^;
mildl\- alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary; hori-
zon is 12 to 20 inches thick.
Dg 32 to 42 inches +: very dark gray (5Y 3/1) fine grav-
elly coarse sandy k>am to loamy coarse sand; no
structure; slightly to moderately hard when dry,
friable when moist, and nonplastic but very
sliglitly sticky when wet; no roots; rapidly per-
meable; this is a water-bearing stratum of low
density, with distinct flowage when saturated;
mildly alkaline.
Tlie overwash layers are not present everywhere, and
in some places they are tliicker than those described.
The subsoil in some places is lighter grixy and the mottling
is more prominent than in the typical profile. The surface
layer may l)e darker with a liioher content of oro;anic
matter. The Dimnino: soils lia\ e a hi<rh water table and
very slow runolf. They are practically level in most places.
Dunning and Melvin silty clay ioams (Dz). — Because
they are poorly drained to very pooi'ly drained, o-enerally
difficult to drain artificially, and subject to frequent floocl-
ino-, these soils are placed in capability unit VIw-1. ]\Ian-
agement for pasture appears to be the most feasible use.
There are 1,896 acres. In some places the surface is more
nearly silt loam than silty clay loam, but this makes
no difference in use and management. This mapping unit
is about GO percent Dunning silty clay loam, and al)Out
40 percent ^felvin silty clay loam. Tn some places the two
soils merge into each other gradually.
Edgemont Series
The Edgemont series consists of deep, well-drained, acid
soils that de\eloped in place in the weathered residue
from hard quart zitic sandstone. The Edgemont soils
occur on resistant valley ridges and on the lower slopes
and spurs of mountains. In Washington County they are
mostly on the lower slopes and spurs of South Mountain
and Elk Ridge and close to the Potomac River in the
area just north of Harpers Ferry, but some areas are
in the western joart of the county.
Although the Edgemont soils are not highly productive,
they are suited to most crops grown in the county. They
are particularly well liked for orchards and berry crops
because they generally have good air drainage.
Profile of Edgemont channery loam, 0 to 12 percent
slopes, in a forested area just off Shinan Road, 2 miles
northwest of its intersection with Harpers Ferry Road,
just south of Dargan:
Ai 0 to 4 inches: very dark gray (lOYR 3/1) channery loam;
moderate, very fine, granular structure; soft when
dry, very friable when moist, and nonplastic and nou-
sticky when wet; roots abundant; Hli^htly aci<i; al)-
rupt, wjivy boundary; horizon Ih 2 to 5 iiidiCK thick.
A2 4 to 12 inciies: liglit yellowish-brown (l()YR<)/4) channery
loam; moderate to strong, fine, crumb structure;
slightly hard when dry, friable when moist, and
sticky and slightly plastic when wet; roots ()lentiful ;
some fin(! and medium and many largf; pores and root
channels; medium acid; clear, wavy boundary; hori-
zon is () to 8 inches thick.
B-ji 12 to 22 inch(?s: brownish-yellow HOYIl fi/fi), channery,
gritty, heavy loam; moderate, medium, blocky anrl
subangular blocky structure; moderately hard to
hard when dry, moderatel\ firm when moist, and
moderately plastic- and moderately sticky wh(fn wet;
roots few; some fine and abundant meflium pfjres;
strongly acid; grarlual, wavy boundary; horizon is 8
to 12 inches thick.
B22 22 to 35 inches: yellow (lOYR 7/8), channery, gritty,
heavy loam or light sandy clay loam; iiKKierate to
strong, medium, blocky aiifl subangular blocky struc-
ture; hard when dry, firm when moist, and plastic and
moderately sticky when wet; very few roots; many
fine and medium jiores, contains a few mica flakes;
strongly acid; gradual to clear, wavy boundary; h(jri-
zon is 12 to 20 inches thick.
B3,,, 35 to 41 inches: mottled or variegated yellow, brownish-
yellow, and yellowish-red, channery and gritty silt
loam to light silty clay loam; weak to moderate, me-
dium, platy structure; hard when dry, firm and brit-
tle when moist, jjlastic and sticky when wet; no visi-
ble roots; pores very fine, mostly filled with clay;
)jrowni.sh-\ ellow, silty coatings on major aggregated
surfaces; this is a thin, rather weakly developed silt-
pan or fragipan that is not always present in the pro-
file; considerable very fine ciuartzite gravel; strongly
acid; gradual, wavv boundarv; horizon is 0 to 8 inches
thick.
C 41 to 50 inches: variegated red, yellow, and brownish-
yellow, \'ery gritty and channery sandy clay; massive;
hard when dry, firm when moist; no roots; strongly
acid; clear to abrupt, irregular boundarv; horizon is
10 to 22 inches thick.
Dr 50 inches + : hard, flaggy to slabby, ciuartzitic sandstone.
There is considerable variation in the content of flags,
stones, and fuie gravel. The depth through the subsoil
ranges from about 24 inches to 40 or more. The silty
fragipan may not be present everywhere, and, when it
is present, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish it from
the parent material of the upper substratum.
In Washington County the Edgemont soils were not
map])ed l)y tlieiiiselves. They were mapped in undif-
ferentiated units with some of the soils of the Laidig
sei'ies. The soils of these two series are so similar, so
closely associated, and in some places so mixed that they
were mapped together.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 0 to 12 per-
cent slopes (EdC). — This ma[)[)ing unit is made up of
Edgemont channery loam, along Avith areas of Laidig
channery loam that have the same range of slope. These
soils are suitable for cultivated crops, but the}^ are not
highly productive for general crops, and they ai'e subject
to erosion. There are l,40o acres in the county, in capa-
bility unit He— 4.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 5 to 20 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded (EdD2). — Erosion has been
active on these soils. The soils may be cultivated with
care, hut high yields shoidd not be expected, except per-
haps from orchard and berry crops. There are many
small areas, most of them marked on the soil maps, where
erosion has been more severe. These spots should receive
special treatment to prevent further soil loss or damage.
26
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1950, NO. 17
TluM'o are 4,()13 acros of tliese soils in the county, in cai)a-
bility unit Illo^.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 20 to 35 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded (EdE2). — On these hilly
soils there is a strong hazard of erosion. For this reason,
the 2,ST0 acres are placed in capability unit IVe-!! There
are many more severely eroded, small areas on which no
cultivation should be attem])ted, except pei-haps for hay
crops or sodded oi'cluirds. These severely eroded spots are
shown on the soil map.
Edi>emont and Laidi«>' channery loams, 35 to 60 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded (EdF2). — These soils are
sleep, but, if kept in good sod, they could be safely
grazed on a limited or occasional basis. Otherwise, they
should be kept in forest oi- ])lanted to forest. There are
aci'es, in ("qjability miit ^Te-L!.
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 0 to 5 per-
cent slopes (EgA). — The soils of this unit are eithei' Kdge-
mont or Laidig soils, but on the average about 40 to 50
percent of tlie surface is occupied by stones and occasional
boulders and rock outcrops. Some of these areas may be
mowed, but general cultivation is impractical. If they
remain in forest or are used for pasture, these soils are
not subject to deterioration. The 127 acres are in capa-
bility unit Vs-2.
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 5 to 35 per-
cent slopes (EgD). — These soils have enough slo])e that
they will erode under use as pasture if they are not well
managed. Stoniness is the most limiting factor. The
soils are suitable for controlled grazing or for woodland.
Timbering should be botli practical and economical. There
are r2,.")24 acres of tliese soils in tlie county, in capability
unit VIs-2.
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 35 to 60
percent slopes (EgF). — These soils are so stony and steep
that they aie of little agricultural importance, except
for their natural timber. Timber operations will be dif-
ficult, and forest management, especially restocking arti-
licially, nuiv not be pi'acfical. There are 771 acres, in capa-
bility" unit 'VIIs-2.
Elliber Series
The Elliber series consists of deep, Avell-drained soils
on sharp ridges of very impure, cherty limestone in the
Appalachian ridge and valley section of the western part
of the county. In many places the Elliber soils are near
areas of the Frederick and the Dunmore soils. They are
less red than the Frederick soils and do not have a heavy
subsoil like that of the Dunmore soils.
These soils are fairly extensive. Tliey are fairly fertile
and productive, but they are not widely used for agri-
culture because of the dominant steep slopes, They are
po):)ular for orchards, especially in the Hancock area.
Profile of Elliber chei'ty loam, 5 to 12 pei'cent slopes,
moderately eroded, at a point one-fourth mile west of
Hollow Road, seven-tenths of a mile south of the Pennsyl-
vania State line :
Ai 0 to 2 inches: black (lOYR 2/1) cherty loam; weak, fine,
granular structure; soft when dry, very friable when
moist, and slightly plastic and slightly sticky when
wet; roots abundant; slightly acid; clear, wavy bound-
ar}'; horizon is 1 to 3 inches thick.
Aj 2 to 8 inches: dark-brown (lOYR 4/3), gritty, cherty loam;
weak, medium, granular structure; slightly hard when
dry, very friable when moist, and sliglitly plastic and
sliglitly sticky when wet; roots plentiful to abundant;
many i)ores of all si/,(!s; medium acid; clear, wavy
boundary; horizon is 5 to 8 inches thick.
B2 8 to 31 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4), gritty, cherty,
heavy loam; weak to moderate, medium, subangular
blocky structure, readily crushing to single grains;
moderately hard when dry, friable when moist, and
moderately plastic and moderately sticky when wet;
roots ])lentiful; moderately rapidly i)ermeable or rap-
idly permeable; strongly acid; gradual, wavy to irreg-
ular boundary; horizon is 20 to 28 inches thick.
Ha 31 to 39 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4), very gritty
and very cherty, light silt loam; very weak, medium,
subangular blocky structure; moderately hard when
dry, friable when moist, slightly plastic and slightly
sticky when wet; roots fairly mimerous; mcjderately
rapidly permeable or rapidly permeable; strongly acitl;
abru[)t, irregular l)ounrlarv ; horizon is 8 to 15 inclies
thick.
Dr 39 inches +: ledges of liard, cherty limestone.
In many places there is a thin C horizon or layer of
soft, decomposed rock just above the hai'd bedrock. There
is considerable variation in the amount of chert in the
soil, and in some places there are outcrops or boulders
of hard, cherty limestone. In some places the subsoil is
a little redder than that in the profile described, par-
ticularly in areas close to soils of the Frederick series.
Locally, drainage may be somewhat excessive, particularly
in six)ts where the content of chert is high. Deep-rooted
sod crops, including well-sodded orchards, are especially
suited to these soils.
Elliber cherty loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (EhB2). — The slope of this soil is moderate,
and there has been some active erosion. However, the
soil is suited to general cultivation under good manage-
ment. Tliei(> ai'e r)2n acres, in (■a])al)ility unit IIe-20.
Elliber cherty loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (EhD2). — The shjpe of this .soil is steep
enough that intensive protection must be })i'ovided if cul-
tivated crops ai'e grown. The soil is widely used for
orchards. Tlie 71!) acres ai-e in capability unit IIIe-2f).
Elliber cherty loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (EhE2). — On these steej) slopes there has
been some erosion. Clean cultivation should be avoided
wherever possible, but the soil is well suited to orchards
and sod crops. There ai-e 629 acres, in capability imit
VIe-1.
Elliber cherty loam, 45 to 55 percent slopes (EhF). —
This is the .steepest Elliber soil. Practically all of
the areas are in forest and should remain so. There are 81
acres, including 15 acres that have a somewhat redder
subsoil than normal. This soil could be used for limited
grazing, or for forestry, but cultivation would be im-
practical. It is in capability unit VIIe-1.
Eroded Land
There are many areas in all parts of Washington County
that have been severely eroded until they no longer are
true soils, but rather remnants of soil materials. Although
in most places the original soil series can be estimated
from what remains, a more uniform and satisfactory
classification of such land can be made by simply naming
the kind of soil material involved.
WASIIIN'OTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
27
111 \\'asliiii<il<)ii ("oiiiily ihcsc scnoivlv eroded soils can
1)0. divided into foui- <ii-()Ui)s aceordin*;- to parent material :
(Jreenstone materials, limestone materials, sandstone and
quart zite materials, and shale and schist materials. No
])rolile descriptions are f^iven, because in most places there
are no complete soil proliles remainiiifj;.
Eroded land, «?reenst(>ne materials (Em). — This se-
verely eroded soil occupies scattered areas, mostly in
rieasant Valley. Adjacent soils are <^enerally of the
P^iucpiier and Myersville series. The remaining? material
consists mostly of soft, decomposed <>;i'eenstone or meta-
basalt, with many fra<;ments of harder rock. In some
])laces there is a little soil left between gullies, but the
f^uUies are either very close, or very deep, or both. In
other places sheet erosion has removed all of the true soil,
leavin*; only rou<:h and ixullied parent material or, in
places, bedrock. Slopes ranj^e I'rom about 10 to 45 percent.
Such areas are not suitable for crops, and, as a rule,
are not suited even to grazing. Vegetation can be re-
established, however, if care and effort are used to do
so. Although these areas are of little value in themselves,
they should have treatment to prevent their enlargement.
They are always hazards to other land, because runoff
from them will cause erosion damage to spread. If re-
vegetated, they will not only be less of a threat to agri-
cultural land, but they can be of some value as wildlife
protection areas or as woodlots. There are 101 acres of
this kind of eroded land in the county, in capability
unit VIIe-2.
Eroded land, limestone materials (En). — This land
consists of severely eroded areas of what were once soils
of the DufReld, Frankstown, Frederick, Hagerstown, and
]\Iurrill series. Rocky areas are not included. Because
these materials were derived from or underlain by lime-
stone, they are potentially somewhat more fertile and
useful than many of the severely eroded, nonlimestone
areas. Because of this, they are placed in capability unit
VIIe-1. There are 617 acres in the county.
Eroded land, sandstone and quartzite materials
(Er). — These are scattered remnants of what were once soils
of the Dekalb, Edgemont, Holston, Monongahela, and
Waynesboro series. The areas have been very severely
eroded and are strongly or very strongly acid. Reestab-
lishing some kind of protective vegetation is likely to be
more difficult than on areas of greenstone or limestone
materials. The 221 acres are in capal)ility unit VIIe-2.
Eroded land, shale and schist materials (Es). — This
land consists of areas that were the shallow and somewhat
droughty Buchanan, Berks, Calvin, Hazel, Litz, Chandler,
Talladega, Teas, or Montevallo soils. It has been very
severely eroded, and, with only tlie underlying shaly or
channery parent material, or in places bare bedrock re-
maining, revegetation may be slow and difficult. It will
be worthwhile if some protection of adjacent lands is
accomplished. There are 3,890 acres of this land in the
county, in capability unit VIIe-3.
Etowah Series
The Etowah series consists of deep, well-drained, red
soils on old stream terraces. The materials from which
these soils have been developed are very old deposits of
alluvium that originally washed from areas of soils on
liiiiesloiie. The I'Jowiili s<»ils are in I lie ^aiiic localities
as the Hagerstown, Duflield, and Frankstown soils of the
valley uplands and the Huntington, Lindside, and other
soils of the flood plains or bottom lands.
The Etowah soils strongly resemble tli(! Waynesboro
soils, but the Waynesboro soils have developed in sand-
stone and shale materials on the terraces instead of in
limestone materials. The Etowah soils, as a rule, are
only slightly acid, but the Waynesboro soils are very
strongly acid.
The Etowah soils are fertile and productive and are
mostly in crops or pastures. Only a few small areas
remain in woodland.
Profile of Etowah gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes,
at a point in a cultivated area 30 yards south of State
Road No. ()0, about six-tenths of a mile west of State
Road No. 62, on a terrace of Antietam Creek just west
of Leitersburg:
Ap 0 to 9 inches: yello\vish-l)r(jwii (lOYR .5/4), gravelly, heavy
loam; moderate, fine, crumb structure; moderately
liard when dry, friable when moist, slightly plastic and
slightly sticiiy when wet; roots abundant; about 1.5
percent waterworn chert gravel; medium acid; abrupt,
smooth boundary; horizon is 7 to 10 inches thick.
Bi 9 to 16 inches;" reddish-yellow (7. SYR 6/6), gravelly,
slightly gritty, heavy silt loam; moderate to strong,
fine, subangular blocky structure; hard when dry,
moderately firm when moist, and {)lastic and sticky
when wet; roots fairly j)lentiful; many fine and
medium pores; about 20 percent waterworn chert
gravel; slightly acid; gradual to clear, smooth bound-
arv; horizon is 4 to 9 inches thick.
B., 16 to 33 inches: yellowish-red (SYR S/6 to 5/8), gravelly,
slightly gritty silty clay loam; strong, medium, blocky
structure; very hard when dry, firm when moist, and
plastic and sticky when wet; a few roots in upper part;
many fine and a few medium pores; strong, self-
colored clay skins on aggregate surfaces and in root
channels; about 2S percent waterw'orn chert gravel;
neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary; horizon is 12 to 20
inches thick.
C 33 to 42 inches + : yellowish-red (SYR 4/6) very gravelly
coarse sandy clay; massive; slightly to moderately
hard when dry, friable to firm when moist, and moder-
ately plastic and sticky when wet; no roots; moder-
ately slowly permeable; neutral to mildly alkaline.
The greatest variations in the Etowah soils in the county
are in the content of gravel in the surface layer and sub-
soil and in the depth to the highly gravell}' substratum.
Some areas are practically free of gravel, particularly in
the surface layer. Depth to the substratum is 24 to -10
inches or more, but most areas are at least 36 inches deep.
The profile in some areas is slightly less red than the
profile described; in other areas it is more red.
Etowah gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (EtA). —
There are 97 acres of this nearly level soil, all of them
in use. Because the soil is w^ell drained, nearlj^ level,
productive, and subject to practically no hazard, it is
placed in capability miit I-l.
Etowah gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (EtB2). — This soil, which occupies 363 acres,
is sloping and has been somewhat eroded. Because of the
erosion hazard, the soil is placed in capability unit IIe-1.
Etowah gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (EtC2). — The slope of this soil is great
enough so that it must be carefully managed and protected
for full use. The 182 acres of this soil are in capability
unit IIIe-1.
28
SOIL SURVEY SKHIES 1959, NO. 17
Etowah gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (EtD2). — Tliis is I he stcepesl of (lie P^lowali
soils. ThtMv are only 40 acres. In about 9 acres tlie profile
is more silty and less g-ravelly (ban the one described.
About (1 acres have slopes slialitly more than ^5 percent.
All of these areas should be ke])t in sod most of the time,
but an occasional cultivated crop in a lon<>' I'otation may
be ])V()(bic('(l. Tills soil is in ca|)abilily unit IVe-1.
Etowah silt loam, 0 to '.i percent slopes (EwA). — This
soil contains little <>'ravel in the surface layer, and the
surface layer is much more silly than that of the gravelly
loams. This is an excellent soil, suited to all crops, and
subject to no particular hazard. Tlie 154 acres are in
ca])ability unit I-l.
Etowah silt loam, to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (EwB2). — Tiiis soil has enouiiii slope lo be subject
to some ei'osion. It is suitable for all crops <ii-()wn in the
area and is j)i-oductive uiuler j^ood uianao-ement . Tliere
are 339 acres, in cai)ability unit Ile-I.
Etowah silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (EwC2). — The slope of this soil is jjreat enou<>-h so
that particularly <>-ood manafrenient is required for full
use wit]u)ut dama<;e. The 188 acres are in capability
unit nie-1.
Fauquier Series
The Fauquier series consists of deej), well -drained, red
soils that have been developed from materials weathered
from a rock known as greenstone, or, more properly, meta-
basalt. The Fauquier soils occur in valleys and also on
ridges and on low mountains of the Blue Ridge. They
are the most pi'ominent soils of the Pleasant Valley area
between Soutli ^lountain and Elk Eidge. In the valleys
they are closely associated with the Myersville soils, and
on the mouiitains, with the Highfield soils. The soils of
both the ]\[yersville and Highfield series are similar to
the Faucjuier but are nuich less red. All of these soils
have developed from the same parent rock.
The Fauquier soils are both extensive and important
in Washington County. They are fertile and productive,
more or less easily managed, and, except for the most
stony areas, are intensively used for general crops, hay,
pasture, and orchards.
Profile of Fauquier channery loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes,
in a small wooded area three-tenths of a mile directly
south of the public school at Rohrersville :
Ai 0 to 4 inches: dark reddish-brown (SYR 3/2), channery,
heavy loam; moderate, coarse, crumb structure; mod-
erately hard when dry, friable when moist, and
slightly plastic and slightly sticky when wet; roots
abundant; slightly acid; clear, wavy boundary; hori-
zon is 2 to 5 inches thick.
A2 4 to 9 inches: yellowish-red (5YR 4/6), channery, heavy
loam or light silt loam; moderate, medium, crumb
structure; moderately hard wlien dry, friable when
moist, and slightly plastic and sticky when wet; roots
plentiful; abundant fine and medium pores; medium
acid; clear to abrupt, wavy boundar\-; horizon is 3 to
6 inches thick.
B21 9 to 20 inches: yellowish-red (5YR 5/6), channery, heavy
silt loam; moderate, medium, subtingular blocky
structure; hard when dry, friable to firm when moist,
and moderately plastic and moderately sticky when
wet; roots fairly plentiful; many fine and medium
pores; medium "acid; gradual, wavy boundary; hori-
zon is 8 to 15 inches thick.
B.,2 20 to 41 inches: red (2.5YR 4/8) channery silty clay loam;
very strong, medium, blocky and subangular" blocky
structure; very hard when dry, firm when moist, and
plastic and sticky when wet; very few roots; itiany fine
but few large })ores; heavy, almost continuous, S(?lf-
colored clay skins; strongly acid; gradual, wavy
l)(>uiidary; horizon is 15 to 30 inches thick.
B23 41 to 50 inches: variegated vellowish-red, rcddisli-vcllow,
and brownish-yellow (5VR 5/8, 7.5VR (i/S, ami lOYR
6/8) silty clay loam to silty clay; very strong, coarse,
blocky and subangular blocky structure; luird when
dry, firm when moist, and plastic and sticky
when wet; practically no roots; many fine but
few large pores; contains some stoiu! fragments,
mostly highly decomposed; almost contimious, self-
colored clay skins and disconl inuous, black films;
slightly acid; clear, wavy boundary; horizon is 8 to 12
inches thick.
Ci 50 to ()2 inches: very .slightly variegated but essentially
yellowish-red (5YR 4/8), decomposed metabasalt
schist; inherited laminar structure; very hard when
dry, firm or very firm when moist, and plastic and
sticky when wet; no roots; a few heavy, red clay flows
and some black films; medium to strongly acid ; grad-
ual, irregular boundary; horizcjn is 10 to 1 5 inches thick.
C2 62 to 72 inches +: highly variegated red, reddish-brown,
vellowish-brown, and olive-l)rown (2.5VR 4/6, 5VR
4/4, lOYR 5/6, and 2.5Y 4/4), partly de(;omposed
metabasalt schist ; very hard to extremely liard when
dry, and very firm when moist or wet; medium acid.
Tlie greatest variation in the Fauquier soils is in the
amoimt and size of rock fragments. The silt loams have
practically no fragments; tlie channery loams have many
flat fragments as miicli as V> inches in length: and
the very stony loams, in some places, are ledgy and boul-
dery. A shallow ])hase of t he silt loam, less than 24 inches
deep to the siibsti'atum, is ])resent in some places. Culti-
vated areas have brown surface soil where there has been
little erosion, and red surface soil where erosion has been
severe. Some of the stony and steep soils, particularly
in the moimtains, have somewhat less strongly developed
horizons than those descrilied.
Fauquier channery loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes (FaB). —
This soil has the profile described. Althougli most areas
have been cidtivated, there is little erosion because of the
low risk and general good management. This fairly easily
nuiiutged, productive soil is in capal)ility unit I— i. There
ai'e 244 acres.
Fauquier channery loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (FqB2). — This is an extensive soil tliat
covers 1,735 acres. Slopes are great enough so that there
has been active, btit not severe, erosion in most places. The
soil is suitable for all crops grown in the area and is in
capability unit 1 Ie-4.
Fauquier channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (FaC2). — This soil occupies 1,144 acres.
Ik'cause of the slope, intensive good management is re-
quired to prevent erosion. The soil is in capability unit
Ille— t. Included, however, are 32 acres that have been
rather severely eroded. These included areas, shown on
the soil map, should be kept in sod or otherwise managed
as if they were in capability tniit VIe-2.
Fauquier channery loam. 20 to 35 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (FaE2). — Here are 271 acres sufficiently
steep so that their use for cultivated crops is strongly
limited. Only about one cultivated crop in every 4 or 5
years should be grown, with the surface protected by sod
most of the time. This soil is in capability unit IVe-3.
WASI IIM; ION COUNTY, MAHVKAXD
29
Fauquier silt loam, 0 to ."5 percent slopes (FsA). This
soil, -A sill loiuu, is like tiic soil dcscrihcd in the typical
prolilc, o.\c('i)t that the surl'iicc layer is soiiiowliat liiii'i'
in texture and there are few, if any, rock fraj^nients. These
nioi-e level areas, luakinp: up 41 acres, are in (•af)al)ility
unit I^.
Fauquier silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (FsB2). — Tliis soil is sloping- and soincwhal
(M'odcd. It is an excellent soil, but it needs the niana<re-
nienl of capahility unit Ile-4. Theiv are 2S1) acres in
the county.
Fauquier silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (FsC2). — This soil is strongly sloi>in<r, and
erosion has been active. Because of this increased hazard,
the soil is in capability mnt IIIe-4. There are 93 acres,
including '2 acres that have been severely eroded.
Fauquier silt loam, shallow, 3 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (FfC2). — This soil is like the other
Fau(iuier silt loams, except tliat the soil mantle is inucli
thinner, with only about 18 to 24 inches above the sub-
stratum. Because of the shallowness of this soil, clean
cultivation should be limited if the soil is to be kept pro-
ductive. Hay crops, pastures, and orchards should be
especially well suited on most areas. The 42 acres of this
soil are in capability unit IVe-o.
Fauquier very stony loam, 5 to 35 percent slopes
(FrE). — This soil contains stone fragments large enough
and numerous enough to prevent practical cultivation. It
occurs mostly on South Mountain and Elk Kidge. That
part in forest should probably so remain and should
produce excellent timber. Cleared areas are suitable for
pasture if grazing is carefully controlled. The 435 acres
of this soil are in capal)ility unit VIs-2.
Frankstown Series
The Frankstown series consists of moderately deep,
well-drained soils that have been developed in materials
that weathered from impure limestone. The parent lime-
stone contains nuich shale and chert and in some places
thin seams of sandstone. The Frankstown soils are simi-
lar to the DutHeld soils, but they are not so deep. They
also contain many more residual fragments of chert and
shale and in places residual fragments of limestone and
sandstone. The Frankstown soils occupy ridgelike areas
"within the gi'eat limestone valley in the eastern part of
the county.
I'ractically all areas have been cleared for agricidture,
and no undisturbed forests remain. The Frankstown soils
are fertile and productive, and, although they are some-
what shallower than the Duffield and the Hagerstown
soils of the same areas, they are still among the best
farming soils of the county.
Profile of P^rankstown channery silt loam, 0 to 3 per-
cent slo):)es, at a point in a cultivated area about 50 yards
southwest of the intersection of U.S. Highway No. 40
with Beaver Creek Eoad:
Ap 0 to 8 inches: dark grayish-brown (lOYR 4/2) channery
silt loam; moderate, medium, crumb structure; fri-
able when moist, sticky and slightly plastic when
wet; roots abundant; some chert fragments and shale
chips along with sandstone fragments; about 20 per-
cent coarse fragments; medium acid; clear to abrupt,
slightly wavy boundary; horizon is 6 to 8 inches
thick.
B21 M to IS iiii his: light ycliowish-hrown flOYR 0/4), (rhun-
iiery, light silly clay loam; moderate to .strong,
medium, subangular blocky structure; somewhat firm
when moist, iilastic and sticky when wet; roots
conunon; m.'iny fine ;in(l medium jjores; about 1.5 pr?r-
cent stone fragments, with souh' shale and ch(!rt;
strongly acid; gradual, wavy btjundary; horizon is 8
to 12 inches t hick.
Bj. 18 to 29 inches: yellowish-brown (lO'S'R 5/0) silly clay
loam; strong, medium to coarsf!, blocky structure;
firm when moist, plastic and sticky whf;n wet;
roots few; idinost continuous, self-colored clay skins
on aggregates and in pores; black films on somf; ag-
gregates, becoming larger and more frequent with
increasing depi h; at least 25 percent coarse fragments,
mostly shale but with some chert; medium acid;
clear, strongly wavy to irregular boundary; horizon
is 10 to 15 inches thick.
C 29 to 44 inches; about 90 ])ercent greenish shale, with
some chert fragments; infiltratefl and coatefi with
brown aiui yellowish-brown (7.5^ I{ 5/4 anrl 1()\'K
5/4) silt or clay; scjiih' shale surfaces strongly etched
by roots; nu-dium acid; gradual, irregular boundary;
horizon is 12 to 24 or more inches t hick.
Dr 44 inches -|- : hard, cherty and shaly limestone.
Frankstown extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 25 per-
cent slopes (FuD). — Tliis soil is so extremely rocky that,
even though it has not been significantly eroded and
slopes are not very gi'eat, it can ser\e no more tiseful
purpose than very limited grazing. Fi-om about 40 to
nearly 90 percent of the surface is occupied Ijy ledges
and massive outcrops. The most suitable use probably is
for woodland. There are 9(S3 acres, in capabilitv unit
VlIs-1.
Frankstown extremely rocky silt loam, 25 to 45 per-
cent slopes (FuE). — The slopes of this soil are too great
and there are too many rocks for crops or pasture. The
soil can best be used for woodland. The 140 acres are
in capability unit VIIs-1.
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (FvC2). — This soil is neither
steep nor severely eroded, but there are enough outcrops
of limestone to make cultivation impractical. Up to
about 40 percent of the surface is occtipied by rock
ledges. Hay might be grown in some places, but a more
practical use would be for i)ermanent pasture. There are
2,413 acres, in capal)ility unit VIs-1.
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, severely eroded (FvC3). — This soil has been so
severely eroded that no hay crops should be attempted
and grazing will have to be strictly limited. The 586
acres of this soil should be reforested. Thev are in capa-
bility unit VIIs-1.
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 15 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (FvE2). — On this very rocky
soil, erosion has not been severe bitt slopes are too great
for any attempt at cultivation. Permanent pasture would
be the most intensive suitable use for this soil. There
are 519 acres, in capability unit VIs-1.
Frankstown and Duffield Soils
Except for the extremely rocky and very rocky soils,
the Frankstown soils do not occur in areas large enough
to be mapped separately from some of the soils of the
Duffield series. In each of the following mapping units,
most of the acreage is occupied by a phase of Franks-
town channery silt loam. There are many places, how-
30
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
ever, wliere (he soil is inuch deei)er or (bicker than is
normal for Franks(o\vn soils. Tliese (lee])er areas are
better classified as Dullield channery silt loam. Tluis, at
any ])la('e williin one of (he followin*; map])in<^ uni(s, (he
soil may be eidier Frankstown or Diillield. Similar phases
of (he soils of bo(h series have (he same capability clas-
siHcaiion and o(her soil <j;roupin<>s and similar inter-
pretations.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 0 to 3
percent slopes (FwA). — The Duflield soil in this mapi)ing
unit con(ains more coarse rock fraj^ments than the Duf-
field soils that are not mixed with Frankstown soils.
These nearly level soils are not subject to any particular
hazard if they are cultivated and well mana<;ed. They
are in capability unit 11. Tliei e are 244 acres.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, to 8
percent slopes, moderately eroded (FwB2). — This is an
extensive ma[)|)in<i- unit (hat occupies (),!)09 aci-es. The
soils can be re<rularly cultivated if they are manaf^ed
accordin<r to (he re(|uiremen(s of capability uni( ITe-1.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 0 to 8
percent slopes, severely eroded (FwB3). — These severely
eroded soils can be cropped safely if jriven the very care-
ful manairement of capability unit llle-30, in spite of
the dama<i^e by erosion that has already occurred. There
are 60 acres.
Frank.stown and Duffield channery silt loams, 8 to
15 percent slopes, moderately eroded (FwC2). — Slopes of
these soils are j^reat enough so (lia( ])ar(icularly good
management is required (o prevent further erosion. The
soils occupy -5.111 acres and ai'e in ca])ability unit IIIe-1.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 8 to
15 percent slopes, severely eroded (FwC3). — Erosion has
been severe on tliese soils. There is enough soil remain-
ing to support hay or pasture, however, with perhaps an
occasional cultivated ci-op if the best protective measures
are followed. The 1,36G acres are in capabilirv miit
IVe-1.
Frankstow n and Duffield channery silt loams, 15 to
25 percent slopes, moderately eroded (FwD2). — Although
erosion has not been severe on these soils, slopes are so
great that cultivation should be attempted only in very
long rotations. The soils should be protected by a cover
of sod most of the time. Hay can be grown safely, and
this is an excellent soil for permanent pasture. There are
542 acres, in capal)ility imit IVe-1.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 15 to
25 percent slopes, severely eroded (FwD3). — Erosion has
been severe enough on these slopes so that further cultiva-
tion is too hazardous to be attempted. A more practical
and safer use would be for pasture. The 864 acres are
in capal)ility unit VIe-1.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 25 to
45 percent slopes, moderately eroded (FwE2). — Erosion
has not been severe on these soils, but the slope is too steep
for safe cultivation. They will make good pasture, how-
ever, with the management of capability unit YIe-1.
There are 162 acres.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 25 to
45 percent slopes, severely eroded (FwE3). — Tliese steep,
severely eroded soils are unsuitable for cultivation, and
most areas are unsuitable even for grazing. A much
better use is for woodland. The 89 acres are in capability
unit VIIe-1.
Frederick Series
The Frederick series consists of deep, well-drained,
red soils on ridges of impure, cherty limestone. The
Frederick soils are redder than the Duffield and the
Frankstown soils, and redder and finer textured than
the Elliber soils. Their subsoil is not so fine textured
as that of the Duiunore and llagei-stown soils.
The Frederick soils occur in Washing(on County only
on ridges within the ridge and valley section to the
west of P^xirview Mountain. They are fairly extensive.
Where cleared, they ai'e used for general crops, pasture,
.and orchards, but a considerable ])ropoi-tion is still in
forest because of the rugged topography.
Profile of Frederick cherty silt loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded, in a forested area 50 yards
soudi of U.S. Highway 40, eight-tenths of a mile east of
the intersection with Indian Springs Koad :
A, 0 to 2 inches: black (iOYR 2/1) cherty silt loam; weak,
medium, crumi) structure; soft when dry, very friable
when moist, and slightly i)lastic and slightly sticky
when wet; roots matted; about 20 percent angular
chert gravel; slightly acid; abrupt, wavy boundary;
horizon is 2 to 4 inches thick.
.\2 2 to 7 inches: dark-gray (lOYR 4/1), cherty, light silt
loam; weak, fine, crumb structure; slightly hard when
dry, friable when moist, and slightly sticky and
slightly i)lastic when wet; roots abundant; nuiny fine
and medium pores and some large pores; about 25
percent chert gravel; medium acid; clear to abrupt,
wavy boundary; horizon is 3 to 7 inches thick.
B, 7 to 12 inches: reddish-yellow (7.5YR 7/8), cherty, heavy
silt loam; weak to moderate, fine, subangular blocky
structure; moderately hard when dry, friable to
slightly firm when moist, and moderately plastic and
moderately sticky when wet; roots plentiful; many
fi,ne and medium pores; about 15 percent chert gravel;
strongly acid: gradual, wavy boundary; horizon is 4
to 8 inches tliick.
Bji 12 to 25 inches: reddish-yellow (5YR 6/8), cherty, light
silty clay loam; moderate, medium, blocky and sub-
angular blocky .structure; hard when dry, rather firm
when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; roots
fairly thick; continuous, self-colored clay skins; about
15 percent chert gravel; very strongly acid; gradual,
wavy boundary; horizon is 10 to 17 inches thick.
B22 25 to 41 inches: yellowish-red {5YR 5/8) silty clay loam;
very strong, fine to medium, blocky structure; hard
or very hard when dry, firm when moist, and plastic
and sticky when wet; a few large, woody roots;
strong, almost continuous, self-colored clay skins and
many black films; many fine and medium pores;
almost free of gravel; very strongly to extremely
acid; gradual, wavy to irregular boundary; horizon
is 12 to 25 inches thick.
C 41 to 48 inches + : variegated red and vellowish-red
(2.5YR 4/8 and 5YR 5/8) cherty clay loam to light
clay; very weak, medium to coarse, blocky structure;
hard when dry, firm when moist, and sticky and very
plastic when wet; a very few woody roots; moderate-
ly slowly permeable; a "few thin, red clay flows and
some black films; neutral.
In some places the profile is more cherty and less deep
than the profile described. In cultivated areas the surface
soil is less gray and more brownish or reddish than that
in the profile described. The Frederick soils are nat-
urally somewhat less productive than the Duffield, Dun-
WASl lINC rON' COUNTV, MAI(VI- \M)
31
iiioro, and Frankslown soils. In Washiniilon Counly llicy
arc loss used for ajiricnlt nrc.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (FyB2). — This soil has the prolilc (k>-
scrilx'd and I he mildest slopes of any soil (d" tiie Fi-ed-
erick sei'ies in lln' county. Ki'osion has been fairly active
in many places, I)ut it has not been .severe. This soil is
suited to all crops, but, because of the hazard of erosion, it
is in capability unit IIe-t2(l. There are 711 acivs.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (FyC2). — Erosion has not been severe
on this soil, but, because of tlie dan<>-er of ei'osion on the
slopes, the soil is in capability luut lIIc-26. There arc
672 acres.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded (FyC3). — This soil lias been so sovei'ely
eroded that it is suitable for only an occasional clean-
tilled crop. The surface must be protected, as by sod,
most of the time. Pasture, hay crops, and sodded orchard
are suitable uses. There are 63 acres, in capability unit
IVe-26.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (FyD2). — This soil has been oidy mod-
erately eroded, and it is in capability unit IVe-26.
There are 517 acres. The soil is excellent for orcliards.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
severely eroded (FyD3). — Erosion has taken so much of
this soil that cultivation is no longer safe. The soil
would be a good one for pennanent pasture, liowever, or
perhaps for sodded and carefully managed orchards.
This soil occupies 57 acres and is in capabilitv unit
VIe-1.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (FyE2). — Erosion has not been very
active on tliis soil, mostly because many of the areas are
still in forest. Any cultivation would be very hazardous,
and permanent pasture would be a more practical and
safer use. There are 465 acres, in capability unit VIe-1.
Hagerstown Series
The Hagerstown series consists of deep, well-drained,
reddish soils that have been developed in materials
weathered from hard, fairly pure limestone. The Hagers-
town soils in some places contain scattered to very numer-
ous outcropping ledges of limestone. Tliese soils are
used for all crops, but, where there is much surface rock,
cultivation is hindered and the usefulness of the soils
may be somewhat to very strongly limited.
Soils of the Hagerstown series are the most extensive
and important in the county. They are important in the
highly developed agriculture of the limestone areas. The
Hagerstown soils are associated with many other soils,
but most notably with those of the Benevola, Corydon,
Duffield, and Frankstown series.
Profile of Hagerstown silt loam in a forested area 1
mile north of Keedysville on State Road No. 34:
Ai 0 to 3 inches: dark-brown (7. SYR 3/2) silt loam; moderate,
fine to medium, granular structure; very friable when
moist, moderately plastic and moderately sticky
when wet; roots abundant; neutral; clear to abrupt
boundary.
599553—62 3
3 to 8 iiiclics: l)ro\vn (7.!i\']i 4/4) silt loarn; tnodorat<?, fine
to mcdiutii, suljuiinnlar blocky strncliirc?; blockH crush
wiu'ii moist to moderate, fine granules; friable when
moist, moderately [jlastic and m(>d<;rately sticky
when wet; rool s abMiidant ; strongly acid; clear to
al)i U[)l, smool li lo slinlilly wavy boundary.
1{, 8 to 17 inches: yellowish-red diWl 4H>), heavy silt loam
or light silty clay loam; mod(!ra((!, medium, sub-
imgular blocky structure; friable or firm when moist,
I)lastic and sticky when W(!t; roots plentiful; medium
acid; clear, smooth boundary.
B,, 17 to 29 inches: reddish-brown (2.5YR 4/4) silty clay
loam; strong, medium to coarse, subangular blocky
structure; very hard when dry, firm when moist, arifi
I)lastic and sticky when wet; roots rather plentiful;
common, faint, reddish-brown clay skins and common
black films on aggregates; medium acid; gradual,
smooth to wavy boundary.
B22 29 to 39 inches: red (2. SYR 4/()) silty clay; strong, medium
to coarse, blocky structurt;; very hard when dry, firm
when moist, plastic and sticky when wet; roots
rather few; faint to distinct, almost continuous, red
clay skins and conunon black films on aggregates;
contains some fragments of weathered limestone; me-
dium to slightly acid; gradual to diffuse, irregular
boundarv.
B3 39 to 49 inches: yellowish-red (SYR 4/6) silty clay loam
or light silty clay; moderate to strong, fine to coarse,
blocky and subangular blocky structure; very hard
when dry, firm when moist, and plastic and sticky
when wet; very few roots; distinct to prominent clay
skins and common black films on aggregates; contains
some fragments of weat hered limestone; medium acid;
gradual to diffuse, irregular boundary.
C 49 to 74 inches +: yellowish-red (SYR 4/8) silty clay
loam; very weak, medium, blocky and subangular
blocky structure; hard when dry, firm when moist,
and plastic and sticky when wet; f(!W to common
small, black films, but no visible clay skins; medium
acid.
In rocky areas the depth of the soil may range from
very shallow to very deep. The uneroded soil in wood-
land is almost everywhere a silt loam at the surface, but
areas that are, or have been, cultivated may have a surface
soil of silty clay loam or clay loam. In large, freshly
cultivated or plowed fields, the eroded areas stand out
because of the redder color of the surface that is exposed
by turning up some subsoil.
Some very rocky and extremely rocky areas appear
to be much like tlte Corydon very rocky clay loams and
the Corydon extremely rocky clay loams, but the soil
between the rock outcrops is redder and much deeper,
on the average, than that in soils of the Corydon series.
Where there is much impurity in the parent rock, the
Hagerstown soils grade toward the Duffield or Franks-
town soils in characteristics.
Hagerstown clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (h^aA). —
This soil has a profile liive the one described, except that
the surface layer is clay loam instead of silt loam. The
clay loam texttire is probably a result of past erosion.
If so, however, tlie previotts erosion cycle has been stabi-
lized, and a fairly thick stirface soil has developed that
shows little evidence of recent erosion.
This nearly level Hagerstown clay loam is suited to
any crop of the region and is rather easily protected
from erosion. It is somewhat difficult to cultivate and
manage because of the fine-textured surface laj'er, which
is more plastic and more sticky than that of the soil de-
scribed as representative of the series. The 117 acres of
this soil are, therefore, in capability unit IIs-1.
32
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1 959, NO. 17
Hagerstown clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HaB2). — Tliis sl()])in<»: soil shows some evi-
dence of erosion. Becanse of the risk of furllier erosion
phis the difficulty of in:ui!i<iiii<i- a line-textured soil, tlie
775 acres are in capability unit He- it).
Hagerstown clay loam, to 8 percent slopes, severely
eroded (HaB3). — Tlie (gentle sloi)es of this Hafrerstown clay
loam have been so severely eroded that further cultiva-
tion is hazardous, except under very careful management,
and management is difficult. There are 52 acres, in capa-
bility unit IITe
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HaC2). — This Hagerstown soil has slopes
great enough so tliat culti\ ation is hazardous uidess care-
ful management is practiced, as suggested for cai)ability
unit IIIe-80. There are 144 acres.
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, se-
verely eroded (HaC3). — This slojMug, severely eroded
Ilagei'stown clay loam can be farmed in very long rota-
tions if the cover is sod much of the lime. There are 15.3
acres in capability unit lVe-1.
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HaD2). — Tlie slojje makes this soil some-
what limited in usefulness. Tlie 128 acres are in capa-
bility unit IVe-1.
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, se-
verely eroded (HaD3). — This strongly sloping, severely
eroded soil is not suitable for cultivation. The 190 acres
are more useful as permanent pasture. The soil is in
capability unit VIe-1.
Hagerstown extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 25 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded (HbD2). — Tlie protiie of
this soil is like that of the silt loam described as repre-
sentative of the .series, except that it is extremely rocky;
from al)out 40 to nearly !)0 percent of the surface of the
soil is occupied by limest(me outcrops. Altliougli this is
a good soil, the rocks prevent or severely obstruct almost
any kind of management, except possibly the treatment
of very small areas by hand. Although real pasture im-
provement is almost impossible, this soil can be used for
some limited grazing; probably a better use is for -wood-
lots. There are fi,696 acres in capability unit VIIs-1.
Hagerstown extremely rocky silty clay loam, 0 to 25
percent slopes, moderately eroded (HcD2). — This soil is
like the one described in the preceding paragraph, ex-
cept that the surface layer is finer in texture. It can
be used and managed in the same way. The 4,15fi acres
are in capaliility unit VITs-1.
Hagerstown extremely rocky soils, 25 to 45 percent
slopes (HdE). — These soils are steep and extremely rocky.
They are not suitable for crops or for improved pasture,
but they would make excellent woodlots or furnish some
very limited grazing. There are 111 acres, in capability'
unit VIIs-1.
Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (HeA). —
This soil has the protiie that is described in detail as
representative of the Hagerstown series. It is nearly
level and has been aflected only slightly or not at all
by erosion. The lack of erosion is either because the
soil remained in woodland cover or because, more com-
monly, it was very well managed in farming. There is
no better soil in the county for most purposes. It can
be cultivated safely with ordinary, good farming meth-
ods, is highly productive uiidei- good management, and
is suited to all the crops of the icgion. The 1,146 acres
of this excellent soil ai-e in cai)ability unit I-l.
Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HeB2). — This is the most extensive soil in
Wasliington County and one of the better ones. Because
it has been long in use, erosion has become active but not
dangerously severe. Altliougli this soil can be used for all
the common crops, it should be cultivated only with the
good management that is necessary to prevent further
damage by erosion. This soil occupies 22,()()1 aci-es and is
in capal)ility unit IIe-1.
Hagerstown silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HeC2). — This sloping soil needs careful
management, wnth long rotations that include hay or
pasture, to prevent damaging erosion. The 3,090 acres
are in capability unit IIIe-1.
Hagerstown silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HeD2). — The slope of this soil is too steep
for regular cult i\at i(jn. The soil should be kept under
sod most of the time. It is excellent for hay and pasture.
The 2.")2 aci'es are in capability unit IVe-1.
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
(HfA). — This soil is similar to Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to
3 percent slopes, except that the surface soil contains
less silt and more clay, making it heavier and somewhat
more difficult to manage. It is well suited to all the
crops grown locally and can be cultivated with little
danger of damage. The 437 acres are in capability
unit I-l.
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (HfB2). — Because of slope and the risk
of further erosion, this soil must be managed with some
care. It should be used and treated as discussed under
capability unit IIe-1. There are 4,038 acres of this ex-
cellent soil in the county.
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (HfC2). — On this sloping soil very
careful management is necessary for cultivated crops if
soil damage is to be avoided. This is an excellent soil,
however, and it is highly productive under good man-
agement. There are 1,458 acres, in capability unit IIIe-1.
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (HfD2). — The slopes of this soil are
critical, and cultivated crops should be limited to 1 year
in 4 or 5, with a sod crop on the land most of the time.
The 153 acres are in capability unit IVe-1.
Hagerstown very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (HgC2). — This soil has a pro-
file much like the one described as representative of the
series. As much as about 40 percent of the surface layer
consists of outcropping ledges and reefs of hard lime-
stone. Although this soil has fewer outcrops than the
Hagerstown extremely rocky silt loam, there are too
many outcrops for any regular cultivation. Because of
the slope, there is a definite erosion hazard. For that
reason, grazing, the most intensive suitable use, must be
limited and carefully managed. The rockiness is the
chief limitation, and so the 10,613 acres of this soil are
in capability unit VIs-1.
Hagerstown very rocky silt loam, 15 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (HgE2). — Because erosion has
done little damage, this steep soil is suitable for pasture
WASIIINC'ION COUXTV, MAHVLAND
if it is ("ii-criilly iii,iiKi<:t'(l iiiid <ir;izi ii;;- is liinilcd. 'I'lui
1,»)S7 acres arc in caijahilily iinil \'Is 1.
Haserstown very i<Kky silty clay loam, to 15 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded (HhC2).- This cxlciisix c
ami I'.xccllt'iit soil makes vciy <j:()<)(l iH'rmaiuMil ))as(ui'(>,
al(li()ii<rli it is loo rocUy for normal cultivation. Tlici'e
are S,;{71 acros, in (•a|)al)ility unit \'ls 1.
Haserstown very rocky silty clay loam, 8 to 15 per-
cent slopes, severely eroded (HhC3). — Krosiou lias 1)ihmi
so active on (his very roci'Cy soil tliat its iisorulness, even
t'oi' ])astuie, has hir<iely been destroyed. The soil can fur-
nish some \ery limited oraziuii-, hut its best use would be
for woodland. Thei-e aiv acres, in capabililN' unit
VI Is 1.
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 15 to 45 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded (HhE2). — The slopes of
this very rocky soil are too <rreat for any more intensive
use than pasture. (lood (jrazin*); can be maintained with
pro})er management. Tlie ()21 acres are in capabilitv unit
VIs-1.
Hagerstown very rocky soils, 45 to 55 percent slopes
(HkF). — Tliese are tlie steepest very rocky soils of the
Ha«ierst()wn series. There has been little, if any, erosion
because most areas have remained in woodland with
little or no disturbance. This group of soils should re-
main in forest. There are 107 acres, in capability unit
VIIs-1.
Hagerstown, Corydon, and Duffield very rocky silt
loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes (HIA). — This mappina' unit
consists of very rocky soils of the three series named,
wherever they occur in nearly level positions. Rockiness
prevents cultivation, but it also may help check erosion,
and none of these areas have been appreciably eroded.
These are excellent soils for pasture or woodland, and,
wherever they are kept in permanent vegetation, they
slioidd not deteriorate in any way. There are 42-1 acres,
in capability unit Vs-1.
Hagerstown and Duffield silt loams, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (HmE2). — This map])ing unit
contains silt loams of both the Hagerstown and Dufheld
series. The soils are so steep that they sliould not be
cultivated. There are 149 acres in capal)ility unit VIe-1.
Hazel Series
The Tlazel series consists of very shallow, skeletal soils
on hard, slaty or phyllitic quartzite. The soils occur only
on excessively drained, rolling to steep uplands, mostly
in the area west of Elk Ridge and just north of Harpers
Ferry. They are associated with soils of the Chandler
series, but tliey are nnich shallower than those soils and
have only very sliglit horizonation that is the result of
soil-forming ])rocesses.
Thougli the Hazel soils are thin and dnmghtj', some
of the more nearly le\ el areas can be used for crops. There
is little farming, however, on these soils. The steeper
areas are mostly in forest.
Profile of Hazel cliaimery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded, in a forested area just west
of Harpers Ferry Road, 1 mile south of its intersection
with Hoffmaster Road :
Ai 0 to 1 inch: black (lOYR 2/1) chaiinery silt loam ; moderate,
medium, crumb structure; soft to very slightly hard
when dry, very friable when inoiwl, and slightly sticky
and sligiilly i)lastic when wet; roots abundant; 10 to
'M) i)crcenl slaty fragments of i)liyllit(;; Klixhtly acid;
clear to abruj)!, wavy boinidary; \\(}r'm>i\ is Ji inch to
\'i inches thick
(', I to 7 inches: brownish-yellow ( l()\ R 0/0), very channcry,
lisht silt loam; weak to nioderat(!, fiiU!, siiban^ular
blocky structure; slinht ly hard when flry, very friable
when moist, slinlitly plastic and moderately sticky
when wet ; roots fairly plentiful; 40 to 50 percent phyl-
litc franmeiits; this layer is only ])artially develoi)ed
toward a true H horizon; slightly acid; gradual, irr<'g-
ular boundary; horizon is 4 to 10 inches thick.
C, 7 to 24 inches: light yellowish-brown (10Y1{ 0/4) mass of
j)artially decomposed to hard j)hyllit(! fragments; in-
herited laminar structure; slightly liarfi wht-n dry,
friable to firm when moist, with hue material moder-
ately j)lastic and moderately sticky when wet; a few
woody roots; 80 to 90 percent stone fragments, and
10 to 20 percent fine material; strongly acid; abrupt,
irregular to broken boundary; horizon is 10 to 20
inches thick.
Dr 24 inches -f : hard, gray, greenish-gray, and yellowish-
gray phyllite.
There may be fine mica particles tliroughout the ])ro-
file. In some places there is a very thin layer, resembling
a true subsoil, between the Ai and Ci horizons. There are
occasional stones, boulders, and outcropping ledges of
phyllite. In numy places the soil blends with the some-
what deeper tind better developed soils of the Chandler
series.
Hazel channery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HnB2). — This soil has (he ])rofi]e described.
It includes the better areas of Hazel channery silt loam.
Slope is gentle and erosion has been moderate, but, be-
cause of its droughty nature, the soil is severely limited
in use. Some crops may be grown or pastures developed,
but they will be affected by drought iji dry weather. The
1,438 acres are in capability unit IIIs-2.
Hazel channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (HnC2). — This soil is steep enough so
that the hazard of erosion is of more significance than the
droughtiness. Erosion has not yet been severe, because
most of the areas remain in forest. If cleared, the soil
cotdd be cultivated safely only with great care, in A"ery
long rotations with sod crops. There are 1,856 acres, in
capability miit IVe-32.
Hazel channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
severely eroded (HnC3l. — This soil is so thin and erosion
has l)een so severe that continued cropping Avould be
hazardous. 4'he soil miglit be suitable for orchards if
well managed and protected, particularly if water for
irrigation were available. Otherwise, it is best suited to
forests or to limited grazing. The 202 acres are in capa-
l)ility unit VIe-3.
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (HnD2). — Slope and shallowness
strongly limit the usefulness of this soil. The soil might
be used for very limited grazing, or possibly for well-
sodded and well-managed orchards; otherwise, it should
renuiin in forests. It occupies 1,095 acres and is in capa-
bility unit Vle-:^.
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes,
severely eroded lHnD3). — There are 124 acres of this soil.
The areas are so steep and so severely eroded that they
should not be used for crops or for grazing, but for
34
SOIL SUR^"EY SERIES 195!), NO. 17
woodland and wildlife. The soil is in capahilitv nnit
Vire-3.
Hazel channery silt loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes
(HnE). — The sh)pes of this lliin, ch'ouf^hty soil ai-e so <i-reat
that neither cnltivation nor pasture shouhl be attempted.
The soil is almost entirely in woodland and should re-
main so. There are 210 acres, in capability unit VIle-3.
Highfield Series
The Ilighfield series consists of deep, well-drained soils
that were developed from the same materials as soils of
the Fauquier and the Myersville series. These materials
are the weathered products of metabasalt, a rock locally
known as greenstone. The Highfield soils occur on moun-
tains and on high intermountain or valley slopes. They
are yellowish brown to brown and differ from the Myers-
ville soils of the valleys in being much less well devel-
oped and somewhat weaker in color. They are not so red
as the Fauquier soils.
Most areas of the Highfield soils are stony and are
cliiefly in forest. Nonstony areas can be used for crops
because they are closely associated with more stony soils;
however, many of these areas are still in forest. The High-
Held soils are fairly extensive, chiefly on South Mountain
and Elk Ridge.
Profile of Highfield very stony loam, 0 to 5 percent
slopes, in a forested area 100 yards off Ritchie Road,
miles southwest of Fort Ritchie :
Ai 0 to 3 inches: very dark gray (lOYR 3/1), very stony,
heavy loam; moderate, fine, crumb structure: soft when
dry, loose or very friable wh(>n moist, slightly plastic
and very slightly sticky when wet; roots abundant;
strongly acid; aljrupt, wavy bovuidary; horizon is 1
to 3 inches thick.
A2 3 to 8 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4), very stony,
heavy loam; weak, coarse, granular structure; slightly
hard when dry, friable when moist, and moderately
plastic and slightly sticky when wet; roots plentiful;
many pores, mostly fine and medium; contains some
fragments and small chips of metabasalt or greenstone;
strongly acid; clear to abrupt, wavy boundary;
horizon is 4 to 7 inches thick.
Bi 8 to 20 inches: dark yellowish-brown (lOYR 4/4), very
stony silt loam; moderate, medium, subangular
blocivy structure; slightly hard when dry, friable when
moist, and moderately plastic and moderately sticky
when wet; many woody but few fibrous roots; many
fine and medium pores: some greenstone fragments;
strongly acid; gradual, wavy to irregular boundary;
horizon is 10 to 17 inches thick.
B2 20 to 36 inches: .strong-brown (7.5Y'R 5/6), very stony,
light silty clay loam; moderate to .strong, medium,
subangular blocky structure; moderately hard when
dry, somew-hat firm when moist, and plastic and
moderately sticky when wet; very few roots; some
medium and many fine pores; discontinuous, self-
colored clay skins; some greenstone fragments; very
strongly acid; gradual, irregular boundary; horizon
is 12 to 20 inches thick.
C 36 to 52 inches: yellowish-brown (lOY'R 5/8) very stony
loam; inherited weak, coarse, laminar structure; hard
when dry, moderately firm when moist, and mod-
erately plastic and slightly sticky when wet; no visible
roots; 60 to 80 percent partially decomposed to hard
fragments and stones; strongly acid; abrupt, irregular
to broken boundary; horizon is 10 to 30 inches thick.
Dr 52 inches+ ; bedrock of massive to platy metabasalt with
many white quartzite impurities.
In some places the upper subsoil is more brown (less
yellow) than that described in the typical profile. Most
areas are very stony, and outcrops and ledges are fairly
common. Because of the dominant stoniness, the ])rofile
of tliis .soil may be eitlier .shallower or deeper than tlie
j)r()lile described.
Highfield gravelly loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes (HoB).—
This soil has a profile like the one described, except that
there are only occasional stones on or in the soil. In
places there are small fragments of greenstone and many
angular fragments of white quartzite gravel that was an
imi)urity in the parent rock. This .soil makes u]) the
more useful areas of the Highfield series. Because of
gentle slope and freedom from ei'osion, the soil is in
ca))abilily unit J— 1. There are (w acres.
Highfield gravelly loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HoB2). — There has been active erosion on
most areas of this sloping soil but serious damage in
only a few places. There are 315 acres, in capability unit
lie— 4; the more severely eroded areas should be treated
like the soils in capability unit llIe-4.
Highfield gravelly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HoC2). — Although erosion has not been
severe on this soil, the slopes are sucli that the hazard
of erosion is great. The soil is in capability unit IlIe-4.
There are 212 acres.
Highfield gravelly loam, 20 to 35 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HoE2). — This soil is so strongly sloping
that cidtivation must be limited to oidy occasional tilled
crops, sod crops such as hay, or sodded orchards. The
78 acres are in capability unit lVe-3.
Highfield very stony loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes
(HpB). — This soil has the profile described as representa-
tive of the series. It is so stony that cultivation should
not be attempted. The soil makes excellent pastureland,
however, and woodland management should be econo-
mically feasible and not especially difficidt. There are 44
acres. The soil is in capability unit Vs-2.
Highfield very stony loam, 5 to 30 percent slopes
(HpD). — This soil is strongly sloping, but it is suitable for
pasture if the grazing is limited and well managed. Tim-
ber operations will be more difficult but should be eco-
nomically feasible. There are 2,123 acres. The soil is in
capability unit VIs-2.
Highfield very stony loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes
(HpE). — This soil is so stony and steep that it should be
kept in forest. Timber operations will be difficult, but
woodland is the best use. The soil is in capability unit
VIIs-2. It occupies 470 acres.
Holston Series
The Holston series consists of deep, well-drained, acid,
brown soils on very old river terraces. The materials in
which the Holston soils have been developed are old al-
luvial deposits, which were brought by streams from
areas of acid sandstone and shale. The Holston soils
are on terraces of the Potomac River, mostly between
Four Locks and Millstone. They are on the same terraces
as the red, well drained "Waynesboro soils, and also the
brown, moderately well drained Monongahela soils, which
contain a siltpan.
The Holston soils are fairly extensive. Some areas are
still in forest, but most areas have been cleared and
are used for general crops or pasture.
vvAsm.\(;i()\' corxiv, aiauvland
35
Pi-()liU> of IIolsloii sill loam, 0 <o l) pcrconl slopes, in
a I'oiTslod area jusl oil' (Jarrison Hollow Koad, about
cililil -tendis of a mile south of its iiilorsoct ion with State
Koad No. ;")():
A, 0 to 2 inches: very ilurk Kniyish-hrowii (lOYR 3/2), Unlit
silt loam; inodcralc, fine, criiml) st nift tire ; soft to
.siinlitly hard when dry, very friable when moist, and
slightly |)lastic but nonsticiiy wlien wet; roots al)un-
(lant; strongly acid; abru])t, wavy boundary; hori-
zon is 1 to 3 inches thick.
A2 2 to 9 inches: dark yellowish-brown (lOYR 4/4) silt loam;
moderate, fine, crumb structure; slightly to moder-
ately hard when dry, friable when moist, and slight 1\'
plastic and slightly sticky when wet; roots plentiful;
many fine and medium and some large pores; very
strongly acid; abrupt, wavy boundary; horizon is 4
to 8 inches thick.
Bi 9 to 15 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYIl 5/6) fine gravelly
silt loam; weak, fine, subangular blocky structure;
moderately hard when dry, friable when moist, and
moderately plastic and moderately sticky when wet;
roots rather few; many fine and medium pores;
strongly acid; dit^Fu.se boundary; horizon is 4 to 7
inches thick.
B21 15 to 24 inches: brownish-yellow (lOYR 6/6), gravelly,
heavy silt loam; moderate, medium, subangular
blocky structure; moderately hard when dry, friable
to moderately firm when moist, and moderately
plastic and moderately sticky when wet; roots few;
many fine and common medium pores; strongly acid;
diffuse boundarv; horizon is 8 to 12 inches tliick.
B22 24 to 37 inches: brownish-yellow (lOYR 6/6), gravelly,
silty clay loam; strong, medium, blocky and sul)-
angular blocky structure; hard wlien dry, firm when
moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; very few
roots; nearly continuous, self-colored clay skins on
aggregates and in pores; very strongly acid; clear,
wavy boundary; horizon is 10 to 20 inches thick.
C 37 to 42 inches + : variegated yellowish-brown and yellow
(lOYR 5/6 and 7/6), very gravelly, light sandy clay
loam; weakly stratified; hard when dry, firm when
moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; a very
few roots in upper portion; a very few brownish-yellow
(lOYR 6/6) clay flows; extremely acid.
In some places the surface layer and subsoil are
gravelly; the substratum is gravelly everywhere. The
siu-face layer may be sandy loam, loam, or silt loam. In
some places the lower subsoil, just above the substratiun,
may be slightly mottled and weakly platy in structtire.
Holston gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (HrA). —
This soil has a profile like the one described, except that
the surface layer is less silty and much more gravelly.
This is a good soil, suitable for nearly all crops, and not
subject to any particular hazard. Tlie 439 acres are in
capability unit I— t.
Holston gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HrB2). — This soil occupies 1,395 acres. In
some areas the surface layer is gravelly silt loam. Because
of the risk of erosion, the soil is in capability unit Ile-i.
Holston gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HrC2).— There are 588 acres of this slop-
ing, modei-ately eroded soil. Tlie soil can be cultivated
safely with tlie good management practices applicable to
its capability unit IIIe-4.
Holston gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HrD2). — Tliis soil includes small ai-eas of
silt loam and of gravelly sandy loam, too small to be
mapped as different soils. Cultivation must be strongly
limited and the soil A-ery carefully managed. The 118
acres of this soil are in capability unit IVe-3.
Holston gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, .se-
verely eroded (HrD3). Tlicse areas, makiiig 19 ai-res,
are too scNcrcly ciodcd for further <ult i vat ion. After
establishing sod, however, they will pi-odue(> good p(!r-
manent pasture or an occasional hay i rop. I'lic soil is
in capability unit Vie -2.
Holston gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (HrE2). — There are 70 acics of this .soil,
which is too steep to be cultivated safely. The soil can
be used foi' grazing, for occasional hay crops, or for
woodland. It is in capability unit Vre-2.
Holston gravelly sandy loam, .3 to 8 percent slopes
(HsB). — The prolile of this .soil differs somewhat fi-om the
one that was described as representative of the series.
The surface layer is sandy loam, and the soil contains a
fairly large amount of waterworn gravel. The sand and
gravel make the soil somewhat di'oughfy :ind, hence, low
in ]>roductivity. The 115 acres of this soil are in capa-
bility unit lIs--2.
Holston gravelly .sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (HsC2). — On these slopes control of
erosion is a more important management problem than
sandiness of the soil. This soil occupies 153 acres. It
is in capability unit IIIe-5.
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded (HsC3). — This soil has been so severely
eroded that its use for crops is strongly limited. Very
careful conservation measures are required for safe cul-
tivation. The soil occupies 50 acres. It is in capability
unit lVe-5.
Holston silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (HtA). — The
proHle of this soil is the one described in detail for the
Holston series. It is a very good soil, subject to very
little hazard of any kind if well managed. The 224 acres
are in capability unit I— f.
Holston silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (HtB2). — The slope of this soil and the erosion that
has occurred make simple conservation measures neces-
sary for continited cultivation. This soil occupies 666
acres. It is in capability unit lie -4.
Holston silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (HtC2). — These 208 acres on strong slopes must be
carefully managed for safe use and production. The soil
is in capability luiit Ille— 4.
Huntington Series
The Huntington series consists of deep, well-drained
soils on flood plains along rivers and streams. The soils
are composed of fine materials washed originally from
areas in which tlie soils were derived from or strongly
influenced by limestone. Except for some modification
of the surface layer by organic matter, these soils show
practically no development of horizons; hence, the}^ have
a uniform or a stratified profile and no B horizon. The
Huntington soils are associated on the flood plains chiefly
with the moderately well drained Lindside soils and the
poorly drained and very poorly drained Melvin and
Dunning soils.
The Huntington soils are excellent for most kinds of
farming. Although they originated by overflow and over-
washing, they are not subject to very frequent or very
prolonged flooding. They are used for most crops.
36
SOIL SUKVKY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
l*i-()Hle of a Hunt in<>(()ii silt loain in a cult i\ at('(l area on
the Hood plain of Anticlani Creek, one-fourth mile north-
west of Leitersl)ur<:- :
A„ 0 to 7 inches: diirk grayish-brown (lO'S'R 4/2) .sill loam;
moderate, coarse, crumb structure; moderately hard
when dry, friable when moist, and slifjlitly i)lastic and
slightly sticky when wet; roots abundant ; many worm
ciiannels; neutral; clear, smooth boundary as a re-
sult of i)lowing; horizon is 6 to 8 inches thick.
Ci 7 to 38 inches; dark-brown (7.5YIi 4/4) silt loam; com-
pound, very weak, medium, jjlaty and nu)derate, fine,
granular structure; hard when dry, friable to some-
what firm when moist, and moderately plastic and
slightly sticky wlien wet; roots plentiful in U])])er jiart ;
many fine and iiu'dium ])ores and sonu' worm chan-
nels; neutral; very gradual, smooth boundary; horizon
is 30 to 40 inches thick.
Co 38 to 48 inches +: brown to dark-brown (7.5YII 4/2),
slightly gritty silt loam; common, fine sjjecks of dark
gray and strong brown; weak, coarse, platy structure;
hard when dry, firm and somewhat brittle when moist,
and moderately plastic and moderately sticky when
wet; a very few roots; neutral; grades with depth to
stratified materials that are generally gravelly or
sandy, or bot h.
Waterworn o;i'avel frao;inents may be ])resent in any
})art of the [jroHle, hut in the nono'ravelly soils tliey are
confined mostly to the lower substratum. Depth to the
C2 liorizon varies considerably and may be several feet
in some places. Color, es})ecially of the surface layer,
varies somewliat ; in some places it is brown or slio-htly
reddish I)r()wn.
Huntington fine sandy loam (Hu). — This .soil is like
Tluiit iniiton silt loam, except that the entire profile, and
part ictdarly the surface layer, contains less silt and chiy
and much more fine sand. This is an excellent soil, and
it is suited to all the common crops. A few acres, which
cotdd not he separated on the map, may be (X'casionally
or frecpiently dama<:ed by floodino:. The croppinjr sy.stem
there should be adjusted to the flood hazard. Most slopes
ai'e less than ;? percent, but in a few places the slope is
as o;reat as 8 percent. The 1,507 acres of this soil are in
capability unit 1-6.
Huntington gravelly loam (Hv). — This soil is like Hunt-
ino-ton silt loam, except that the surface layer is less silty
and the entire profile contains considerable waterworn
gravel. This is an excellent soil, suitable for all of the
common crops. If Hoodino' is a prol)lem on any area,
the management of this land should l)e adjusted accord-
ingly. Most iireas are nearly level, but some slopes are
as great as 8 percent. The 071 acres of this soil are in
capability unit 1-6.
Huntington silt loam (Hw). — This soil has the profile
that was described as representative of the series. It is
an excellent soil, and normally has practically no hazard
to limit its cultivation. It is used for all crops of the
area, and is especially desirable for corn. A few areas,
which could not be separated on the map, may l)e oc-
casionally or fretjuently affected by high water. Practically
all areas are nearly level. The 1,439 acres of this soil
are in capability unit 1-6.
Huntington silt loam, local alluvium (Hx). — Tliis soil
I'esembles Huntington silt loam, except that it does not
lie on true flood plains. It occupies slight depressions in
areas of soils underlain by limestone, and lies also around
drainage heads and on some foot slopes within the same
areas. It has been formed by the deposit of fine material
that was washed directly down from surroimding upland
soils, and not by settlement otit of floodwaters, as with
the Huntington soils of the flood plains. In some places
the substratum is slightly finer in texture than the surface
layer, showing the beginnings of i)rofile development, but
this is exceptiontil.
The soil is extensive and important, althotigh generally
in small areas. There are 4,811 acres, most of which are
nearly le\el oi- oidy very gently sloi)ing. Some slopes,
however, are as great as 8 percent. This highly produc-
tive soil is used for till pur])f)ses and is in capid)ilitv unit
1-6.
Laidig Series
The Laidig .series consists of deep, well-drained, acid
soils that were developed on old rockslides or other col-
luvial deposits of .sandstone, quartzite, and (K'casionally
some shale. The Laidig soils are characterized by a deep
and very thick, i)laty fragipan in the lower subsoil. The
fragipan layer, however, apparently does not restrict
drainage of the soil.
It has been noted under the Edgemont seiies that the
Kdgemont and Laidig soils are in many places very closely
as.sociated and were mapped together in undifferentiated
units. The Laidig soils were also niap))ed by themselves.
Tjike the Edgemont soils, the Lsiidig soils ai'e not highly
prodtict i ve, but they are suited to most crops and are used
for orchards ami berry crops.
Profile of Laidig gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded, in a forest just off Woodmont Road,
high on the slopes of Tonoloway Ridge between Wood-
mont and Cohill:
Aji 0 to 1/2 inches: black (N 2/0), gravelly, light loam; weak,
very fine, granular structure; soft when dry, loose
or very friable when moist, and nonijlastic and non-
sticky when wet; roots plentiful; strongly acid; clear,
irregular boundary; horizon is 1 to 3 inches thick.
A12 V/i to 3 inches: grayish-brown (2.5Y 5/2), gravelly, very
light loam; single grain; soft to very slightly
hard when dry, very friable when moist, and
nonplastic and nonstieky when wet; roots fairly
plentiful; very strongly acid; clear, irregular bound-
ary; horizon is 1 to 3 inches thick.
A2 3 to 14 inches: light yellowish-browu (lOYR 0/4), grav-
elly, very light loam or heavy sandy loam; moder-
ate, coarse, crumb structure; slightly hard when dry,
friable when moist, and slightly plastic and very
slightly sticky when wet; roots rather few; very
strongly acid; clear, irregular boundary; horizon is
8 to 12" inches thick.
Bi 14 to 18 inches: pale-brown (lOYR 6/3) gravelly loam;
weak, medium, subangular blocky and weak, fine,
granular structure; slightly hard when dry, friable
when moist, and slightly plastic and very slightly
sticky when wet; roots few; abundant fine and
medium and a few large pores; this horizon has
some of the characteristics of an old surface layer
that has been buried and is transitional between
the surface layer and the true subsoil; strongly acid;
clear, irregular boundary; horizon is 3 to 5 inches
thick.
B2, 18 to 38 inches: reddish-yellow (5YR 6/8), heavy fine
sandy loam containing very little silt; compound,
very weak, medium, platy and weak, fine, irregular,
subangular blocky structure; hard and brittle when
dry, friable or firm and slightly brittle when moist,
and slightly plastic and slightly sticky when wet; a
few roots in upper part; abundant fine pores; con-
tains many small inclusions of the B22m material
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAIO LAM)
37
(icscrihed t)olow; very str()iinl>' acid; ck'ar to al)ru|)t,
wavy to irregular houiidary; horizon is 18 to 2(1
inclies thick.
R,2,„ 3S to ».)() inclics I ; rod (2.5YR 4/8 or lOR 4/8), ligiil
fine sandy chiy loam containing very little silt;
moderately strong, coarse, ])laty stnicture, crushing
under pressure to finer platy lenses; very compact ;
very hard and brittle when dry, firm and brittle
when moist, and moderately plastic and moderately
sticlvy wlien wet; no roots; conuuon fine pores,
mostly horizontal; this fragii)an is a very compact
clay -sand mixture with practically no silt and a
nolal)le absence of clay skins; upper part contains
some inclusions of H21 horizon material; very
strongly or extremely acid.
Some horizons may be very thin or absent; tliis is
particiUarly true of the B, liorizon, and, in some phices,
of the Ai^. liorizon. The lower subsoil is in some j)laces
less red tlian desci-ibed but is everywhere compact and
platy. Stones and boulders are ])resent in some areas.
Laidig gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (La A). —
This is the nearly level and least stony soil of the Laidig
series. The profile is like the one described. Although
this soil is gravelly, strongly acid, and not highly produc-
tive, it can be cultivated safely with ordinary good farm-
ing methods. The 110 acres are in capability unit 1-4.
Laidig gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (LaB2). — This soil occupies l.i^Tls acres.
About half of it has been cleared and used for general
crops or orchards. Because of the slope, the hazard of
erosion is a definite one. The soil is in capability unit
Ile-t.
Laidig gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (LaC2). — A profile of this soil was de-
scribed as representative of the series. Because of tlie
slope, tliere is an erosion hazard, and the 1,574 acres are
in capability \init Ille— 4. About 46 acres have been
severely eroded ; these areas should have special treatment
to control erosion.
Laidig gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (LaD2). — The hazard of erosion strongly
limits use of this soil for cultivated crops. There are 479
acres in capability unit IVe-8. Inchided are about 33
acres that are severely eroded, which should be treated
as if in capability unit Vle-i^.
Laidig very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes (LbD). —
This soil has many stones and a few boulders on the sur-
face and in the profile. On the average, about 50 percent
of the surface is occupied by stones. This soil is, therefore,
not suited to cultivation, but it can be used to some extent
for grazing or can be left in woodland. There are 722
acres, in capability imit YIs-2.
Laidig very stony loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (LbE2). — This soil is so steep and stony
that grazing is not practical. Forests should be main-
tained and cleared areas should be reforested. The soil
occupies 110 acres and is in capability unit VIIs-2.
Landisburg Series
The Landisburg series consists of moderately well
drained, gravelly soils on the foot slopes of ridges where
there are colluvial deposits of clierty limestone material.
The Landisburg soils have some degree of platy structure
throughout their profile and have a fine and very dense,
cherty subsoil. They lie below areas of better drained
soils, chiedy of the l^llib(•|• and Frederick .sei-ies, which
have been developed direcdy on the cluM'ty limestone.
The Landisburg soils occur in the weslei'ii part of the
county, mostly in tlie Elbow Kidge area. They are not
extensive, nor are (hey highly productive. They need in-
tensive erosion control and some artifici;il drainage for
full use, and they are somewhat difliciill lo manage.
Profile of Tiandisbui'g cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded, in a forested area just west
of Long Hollow Koad, nine-tenths of a mile south of the
Pennsylvania State line:
Ai 0 to 3 inches: very dark grayish - brown (10 YR 3/2)
cherty silt loam; compound, weak, tliin, jjlaty and
strong, fine, crumb structure; sliglitly hard when
dry, friable but slightly tjrittle when moist, and
moderately plastic and moderately sticky when wet;
roots abundant; strongly acid; clear to abrupt,
wavy boundary; horizon is 1 to 4 inches thick.
A2 3 to 9 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4), cherty,
light silt loam; compound, weak, thin, platy and
moderate, fine, crumb structure; moderately hard
when dry, friable but slightly brittle when moist,
and moderately plastic and moderately sticky when
wet; roots plentiful; very strongly acid; clear to
abrupt, wavy boundarv; horizon is 4 to 7 inches
thick.
Bi 9 to 12 inches: brownish-yellow ClOYR 6/6), cherty,
heavy silt loam; compound, weak, medium, platy
and moderate, fine, subangular blocky structure;
moderately hard when dry, moderately firm and
brittle when moist, and plastic and sticky when
wet; roots few; very strongly acid; clear, wavy
boundary; horizon is 3 to 5 inches thick.
B2tm 12 to 32 inches: variegated, about 75 percent strong-
brown (7. SYR 5/6) and 25 percent yellowish-brown
(lOYR 5/4), cherty, heavy clay loam; com-
pound, moderate, coarse, platy and strong, medium,
blocky structure; compact and dense; hard when
dry, firm and brittle when moist, and plastic and
sticky when wet; practically no roots; very
strongly acid; clear, wavy boundary; horizon is 15
to 24 inches thick.
Cg,„ 32 to 42 inches 4- : strongly variegated yellowish-brown,
strong-brown, and olive-gray (lOYR 5/4, 7.5YR
5/8, and 5Y 5/2) cherty silty clay loam or clay loam;
somewhat gritty; strong, fine to medium, platy
structure; very hard when dry, firm and brittle
when moist, and plastic and sticky when w^et;
no roots; very slowly permeable; very strongly acid.
There are common seepage spots or vpet- weather springs.
At sucli places the fir.st three horizons ai-e darker in color
and thinner than in the typical profile described and the
claypan Batm horizon is closer to the surface. There are
some small areas of cherty loam mixed with the cherty
silt loam. In many spots the surface soil is quite gritty,
containing some medium and coarse sand and very fine
gravel. The Landisburg soils are rather wet and slow to
warm in spring. The water table is normally fairly deep,
but it comes close to the surface in wet w^eather.
Landisburg cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (LcB2). — This soil has the profile that
is described. Because the subsoil is tight, runoff is very
high. Although the soil is only moderately well drained,
the control of erosion is a more significant problem than
drainage. For this reason, the 65 acres of this soil are in
capability unit IIe-13.
Landisburg cherty silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (LcD2). — On this strongly sloping soil,
the erosion hazard is great. There are 143 acres, in capa-
bility unit IIIe-13.
38 SOIL SURVEY SIOKIES 1959, NO. 17
Laigent Series
Tlie J^argeut sei'ies consists of moderately well drained
soils on Hood plains and in depi-essions, in areas of acid,
red shale and sandstone. The Tjargent soils are made
up of alluvium washed mostly from soils of the Calvin
series. Natural draiiiaae is partially retai'ded. There has
been a very slight degree of soil profile (levelo])ment, but
not enough to be of any particular significance.
The Largent soils are not extensive and are used mostly
for corn, hay, and pasture. Some areas are still in wood-
land.
Profile of a Largent silt loam, in a foivsted area three-
tenths of a mile west of State Koad No. 615, and one-
half luile south of the Pennsylvania State line:
Ai 0 to 12 iiiclies: dark reddish-gray (5YR 4/2), light silt
loam containing a nuticcablc amount of very fine
sand; very weak, fine, grainilar structure; very
slightly hard when dry, friable when moist, and
slightly plastic and very slightly sticky when wet;
roots abundant; slightly acid; gradual t(j clear, wavy
boundarv; horizon is 8 to 12 inches thick.
C, 12 to 25 inches: dark reddish-gray (5YR 4/2) silt loam;
weak, very fine, platy structure; compact; hard
when dry, firm and somewhat brittle when moist,
and moderately plastic and moderately sticky when
wet; roots plentiful in ujjper portion; many fine but
few large pores; medium acid; clear to abrupt, wavy
boundarv; horizon is 10 to 20 inches thick.
25 to 48 inches +: reddish-brown (5YR 4/4), heavy
fine sandy loam; about 15 i)ercent medium to
coarse, distinct mottles of yellowish red (SYR 5/8),
and many very small specks of indeterminate gray;
compound, very weak, very coar.se, platy and weak,
coarse, blocky structure; very hard when dry,
moderately firm when moist, and nonplastic and
nonsticky when wet; no visible roots; medium acid.
Although the only mapping unit is named as silt loam,
there are some small included spots of fine sandy
loam. Depth to the mottled Csg horizon ranges from about
14 to 28 inches. The water table is near the surface for
fairly long periods. The soil is rather cold in spring,
and may be fiooded for brief periods.
Largent silt loam (Le). — This soil lias the profile that
is described. Because of the impeded drainage, the soil
was placed in capability unit IIw-7. A few areas may be
frequently covered by floodwaters. Wherever this is true,
the intensity of use will depend on the frequency and
pattern of flooding. There are 157 acres in the county.
Leadvale Series
The Leadvale series consists of moderately well drained
soils on colhn ial deposits that consist of acid shale and
sandstone material at the base of slopes. In Washington
County the materials have accumulated at the base of
sorne slopes of soils of the Berks, Calvin, and Montevallo
series. The Leadvale .soils are in widely scattered, small
areas, all in the western part of the county.
The Leadvale soils are suitable for most crops, but are
wet at certain seasons and are slow to warm up in spring.
Profile of Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded, in a cultivated area on Long
Hollow Road, just north of the entrance of the Tonoloway
Rod and Gun Club:
Ap 0 to 7 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4) gravelly silt
loam; moderate, medium, crumb and weak to mod-
erate, fine, subangular blocky structure; moderately
hard when dry, friable when moist, anfl moderately
plastic and slightly sti('ky when wet; roots abundant;
gravel is mostly fine, consisting of lioth sandstone
and shale; strongly acid; clear, smooth to wavy
boundarv; horizon is (> to 8 inches thick.
H2, 7 to 22 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4), gravelly,
light silty clay loam; moderate, medium, subangular
blocky structure; hard when dry, friable to firm
when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; roots
fairly |)lentiful; many fine and some medium pores;
gravel is coarser than in jjIow layer; very strongly
acid; gradual, wavy to irregular boundary; horizon
is 10 to 16 inches thick.
B22m 22 to 'M> inches: light olive-l)rown (2.5Y 5/4) gravelly
and cliannery silty clay hjani; about 20 percent fine,
prominent mottles of strong t)rown (7.5YR 5/f)) ;
compoimd, weak, medium, platy and strong, fine
to medium, subangular blocky structure; very com-
j)act; hard and brittle when dry, firm and brittle
when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; prac-
tically no roots; very slowly permeable; thin, grayish
silt coatings on aggregates in upper part; this is a
siltpan or fragii)an layer; very strongly acid; clear,
wav\- boundary; horizon is 12 to 20 inches thick.
Cg 36 to 42 inches + : i)luish-gray (5Y 5/1 with a bluish cast)
chaimery silty clay loam; about 60 i)ercent fine and
medium, distinct mottles of olive and olive brown
(5Y 5/4 and 2.5Y 4/4); very weak, medium, platy
structure; hard when dry, firm and somewhat brittle
when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; very
slowly permeable; no roots; strongly or very strongly
acid.
In some places the soil is rather shallow, with residual
material or bedrock within feet of the surface. In
some places the I^'-m horizon is less compact than that
in the profile described. These soils tend to heave in
winter. They are of rather low fertility but are fairly
productive of some crops imder good management.
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
(LgA). — This nearly level soil can be cultivated without
great risk of erosion. Surface drainage is particularly
slow, and the soil tends to be wet and cold. It is in
capability \imt IIw-1. There are 49 acres.
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (LgB2). — A i)rofile of this .soil is de-
scribed. Tlie slopes are moderate, and there has been
some erosion. The erosion hazard is more significant
than the somewhat impeded drainage. There are 475
acres. The soil is in capability unit IIe-13.
Leetonia Series
The Leetonia series consists of excessively drained, ex-
tremely acid, stony soils on coarse, light-colored sandstone.
They resemble the Dekalb soils, but tliey have more prom-
inent horizons and, generally, a thicker surface layer. In
this county they were mapped only in undifferentiated
units with Dekalb soils.
Profile of Leetonia very stony sandy loam, 0 to 25
percent slopes, in a forested area about 200 yards south
of the caretaker's office in the Washington Monument
State Park, just below the siunmit of Monument Knob
on South Mountain:
A, 0 to 4 inches: very dark brown to black (lOY'R 2/2 or 2 1)
very stony sandy loam; strong, fine, crumb structure;
soft to very slightly hard when dry, very friable when
moist, and nonplastic but very slightly sticky when
wet; roots plentiful; medium acid; abrupt, irregular
boundary; horizon is 2 to 6 inches thick.
Ao 4 to 9 inches: pale-brown (lOYR 6/3), very stony and very
gritty coarse sandy loam to loamy coarse sand; weak,
granular structure to single grain; slightlj' hard and
washin(;t()N county, Maryland
brittle when dry, friable when moist, and nonplast ic
but very slightly sticky when wet; a few large, woody
roots; inany inediiini and coarse pon^s; extremely
acid; clear, irregular l)oundary; horizon is 4 to 8
inciies thick.
Bo 9 to 22 inches: yello\visli-l)rovvn (lOYR S/fi), very stony
and very gritty coarse sandy loam; distinctly finer or
heavier in texture than horizon A..; weak, medium,
blocky structure; slightly cemented; modera1el.\' hard
when dry, firm and l)rittie when moist, and siigldi\
sticky and very slightly i)iastic when wet; more fine
roots than in horizon Aj; moderately ra])i(lly or rapidly
I)ermeal>le; extremely acid; clear, irregular boundary;
liorizon is 12 to 24 inches thick.
C 22 to 42 inches + : marbknl or variegated, 80 i)ercent light
brownish-gray {2.5Y 6/2) and 20 i)ercent reddisli-
ycUow (7.5YR (')/()), very stony and v(^ry gritty, decom-
posed sandstone of coarse sandy loam texture; inher-
ited very weak, slightly i)laty structure; hard when
dry, firm and brittl(> wIhmi moist, slightly sticky and
very slightly plastic when wet; a very few roots;
extremely acid.
There is coiis'uUM'ahle variation in the lliiekness of the
two upper hoi'izons; in some phices tliey are extremely
thin. The Bo horizon in some phxces is loose, not so strong-
ly cemented, and not so strongly colored as the one
described.
Lehew Series
The I-,elie\v series consists of excessively drained,
sliallow, stony soils on red to dark-red, acid sandstone.
They resemble the Dekalb soils, except in color, but
they have a redder profile, particularly in the lower
subsoil and in the substratum. The Leliew soils also liave
somewhat more proininent liorizons than the Dekalb soils.
Lehew soils were not mapped alone in this county, but
are in undifferentiated mapping units with Dekalb soils.
Profile of Leliew very stony loam, 0 to 25 percent
slopes, in a forested area just north of U.S. Highway
No. 40, about '200 yards east of the highway crest over
Fairview jMountain:
A) 0 to 3 inches: very dark grayish-brown (lOYR 3/2) very
stony loam; weak, medium, crumb structure; soft to
slightly hard when dry, very friable when moist, and
slightly plastic and slightly sticky when wet; roots
rather ai^undant; strongly acid; clear, wavy boundary;
horizon is 1 to 3 inches thick.
Ao 3 to 5 inches: brown (lOYR 5/3) very stony loam; weak,
medium, crumb structure; slightly hard when dry,
very friable when moist, slightly plastic and slightly
sticky when wet; roots rather plentiful; many pores
of all sizes; very strongly acid; abrupt, wavy bound-
ary; horizon is 2 to 4 inches thick.
B] 5 to 11 inches: dark yellowish-brown (lOYR 4/4) to dark-
brown (7. SYR 4/4) very stony loam; weak, fine to
medium, subangular blocky structure; slightly hard
when dry, friable when moist, slightly plastic and
slightly sticky when wet; roots few; many fine and
medium pores; very strongly acid; gradual, irregular
lioundarv; horizon is 5 to 10 inches thick.
Bs 11 to 20 inches: reddish-brown (2.5Y'R 5/4 with a slight
purplish cast) very stony gritty loam; moderate, fine
to medium, suV^angular blocky structure; hard when
dry, friable to somewhat firm when moist, slightly
plastic and slightly sticky when wet; roots few; numy
fine and medium pores; very strongly acid; gradual,
irregular boundary; horizon is 8 to 18 incfies thick.
C 20 to 36 inches -|- : reddish-brown (5YR 5/3), stony and
very chainiery loam; inherited very weak, laminar
structure; very few roots; moderately permeable; con-
sists mostly of red sandstone fragments with some
fine material; very strongly acid.
In many places (he entire profile is reddisli brown
and is distinctly more redtlisli in the A^. and li, horizons
than the profile described. Tiie Lehew soils iu\t slightly
less coai-se in texture throughout than cillici' tlic Dekalb
or the Leetonia soils.
Lindside Series
The Lindside series consists of moderately well drained
soils that were formed from alluvial materials in the
limestone area. The materials are medium or fine textured.
They were washed from areas of upland soils underlain
by limestone, such as soils of the Hager.stown, Duflield,
Frankslown, and Frederick series. The Lindside soils
are on bottom lands and also in upland depressions, around
drainage heads, and on foot slopes clo.se to smaller
drainageways. They are commonly near areas of Hunt-
ington soils, which are better drained, and with Dunning
and Melvin soils, which are more poorly drained, all from
the same or similar materials.
Most areas of Lindside soils in the county have been
cleared. These soils are commonly used for corn or
pasture, although other general crops are grown where
drainage has been improved.
Profile of Lindside silt loam, in a forest adjacent to
Roundtop Road, three-tenths of a mile south of its
intersection with Orchaixl Road, about 1 mile north of
Cohill :
Ai 0 to 14 inches: brown (lOYR 4/3) silt loam; weak, me-
dium to coarse, crumb structure; moderately hard
when dry, friable when moist, and moderately plas-
tic and moderately sticky when wet; roots abundant;
slightly acid; clear, smooth boundary; horizon is
12 to is inches thiclc.
C, 14 to 26 inches: dark yellowish-brown (lOYR 4/4) silt
loam; common, fine specks of very dark gray; com-
pound, weak, medium, platy and very weak, fine to
medium, subangular blocky structure; hard when
dry, rather firm when moist, and moderately plastic
and slightly sticky when wet; roots plentiful in upper
part; many fine and some medium pores; moderately
alkaline; gradual, irregular boundary; horizon is 6 to
12 inches thick.
26 to 40 inches: olive (SY 5/3) silt loam; about 20 percent
medium, distinct mottles of strong brown (7.5YR
5/6) ; compound, weak, coarse, platy and very weak,
medium, blocky structure; very hard when dry, firm
when moist, and plastic and .sticky when wet; no
visible roots; contains a few remnants of fresh-water
mollusk shells, and a few waterworn gravel frag-
ments; moderately alkaline; clear, wavy boundary;
horizon is 12 to 20 inches thick.
Dg 40 to 60 inches +: stratified sand, silt, and gravel; silty
and sandy portions olive (SY 4/3 with a bluish cast);
about 15 percent fine, distinct specks of strong brown
(7.SY'R 5/6); weak, very coarse, platy structure;
silty portion hard or very hard when dry, moderately
firm when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet;
no roots; variable jiermeability ; bluish color fades
completely to light olive gray when material is dried;
gravel is mostly waterworn chert; moderately to
strongly alkaline.
The bluish color in the lower substratum is not every-
where present, nor are the mollusk shells in the sub-
stratum. Some profiles contain more gravel throughout
than the one described, and the substratum may not be so
strongly alkaline. Lindside soils on the flood plains may
be subject to flooding at times, but those in upland de-
pressions are less suscept il)le. These soils are fairly wet
and have a seasonally high water table.
.")!J!ir).';:{ — i
(12 4
40
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Lindside silt loam (Lm). — This soil lias the proiile that
is (lescfil)ed. Wetness and the possibility of ll()0(lin«j; are
the greatest hazards on this soil. AVith improved drainage,
the soil can be used for nearly all crops, but it is used
mostly for corn and pasture. A few acres may have more
frecjuent floods, which restrict their use to sod crops and
grazing. On 45 acres the surface soil is rather gravelly.
The '2,4:5r> acres ai'c in ca])al)ility unit lI\v-7.
Lindside silt loam, local alluvium (Ln). — Fhis soil is
like Lindside silt loam, but it is located in upland
depressions instead of on Hood plains. It is much less
likely to be flooded than the soil on the bottom lands.
Impeded drainage and seasonal excess water are the chief
hazards, and the 4S!S acres of this soil are in capability
unit Tlw-7.
Litz Series
The Litz series consists of somewhat e.xcessively drained
to excessively drained, shallow, skeletal soils that were
developed on light -colored, acid shale that contains some
thin beds of limy shale or limestone, or both. The Litz
soils resemble the Montevallo soils in their general iirofile,
but, since they were dev eloped from and influenced l)y par-
tially limy materials, they are somewhat moi-e [)ro(luct ive.
The liitz soils are chiefly on ridges within the ridge ami
valley section of the western part of the county. They also
occur on a few isolated ridges within the limestone valley
in the northeastern pixvt of the county, where they are
intricately mixed with soils of the Teas series.
The Litz soils are fairly extensive. They are not widely
used in agriculture, and most areas remain in forest.
Some areas, however, are used for genei'al farming or,
more connnonly, for orchards.
Pi'ofile of Litz shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, in a
forested area just off Orchard Koad, 1 mile south of its
intersection with Koundtop Road, about one-half mile
northwest of Coliill :
An 0 to 1 inch: black (lOYR 2/1) loam with about 15 per-
cent shale chips; weak, fine, crumb to granular
structure; soft wlien dry, very friable when moist,
and slightly plastic and slightly sticky when wet;
roots matted; strongly acid; al)rupt, wavy bound-
ary; horizon is '2 inch to 3 inches thick.
A12 1 to 3 inches: light yellowish-brown (lOYR 6/4), shaly,
heavy loam; weak to moderate, coarse, crumb struc-
ture; moderately hard when dry, friable when moist,
and sticky and moderately plastic when wet; roots
plentiful; about 25 percent shale; very strongly acid;
clear, wavy boundary; horizon is 1 to 4 inches thick.
B/C 3 to 16 inches: brown (7. SYR 5/4) very shaly silt loam;
compound, inherited, laminar and moderate, fine,
blocky structure; hard when dry, firm when moist,
and plastic and sticky when wet; a few large roots;
at least 60 percent pale-brown to pinkish shale;
strongly acid; abrupt, irregular to broken boundary;
horizon is 10 to 20 inches thick.
Dr 16 inches -|-: hard, pale-brown, gray, or greenish-gray,
slightly limy shale.
In spots there is a B horizon, but it is very thin. Be-
cause the soil is so thin, it easily becomes droughty in
periods of low or poorly distributed rainfall. Locally,
the soil is less acid than the descriljed ])rofile.
Litz channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (LoB2). — This soil has a profile like the one
descril)ed, excei)t that the shale fragments are larger and
harder, and there are some hard, thin, flat fragments of
sandstone on and in the soil. These sandstone fragments
were derived from seams of that rock that are present
at places in the shale, and some of them pi'obably were
deposited by gravity from higher areas of other soils.
Although this soil is thin and droughty, risk of erosion
is probably the most signilicant management ])roblem.
The soil is suitable for cultivation, with the pi-o[)er ])i'e-
cautions, including the selection of cro))s that can at
least partially withstand (hoiiglil. The 2'.V2 acres ai'e in
capal)i]ity unit 1 le-1 1.
Litz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (LoC2). — On this sloping soil there is need
for careful mamigement and protection and careful selec-
tion of crops. There are 97 acres, in capability unit
irie-:51.
Litz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely
eroded (LoC3). — Ki-osion has been severe on this thin and
droughty soil, and very s])ecial management is necessary
if the soil is to be cultivated. This soil is in capability
unit IVe-.')l. It occu])ies 10!) aci-es.
Litz shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes (LsB). — This
.soil has the ))roiile that is described as repi'esentative of
the series. Slopes are not great, ami there has been little,
if any, erosion, but there is an ei'osion hazard. The soil
is well suited to .some cro])s, including orchards. There
are ."*)()() aci-es, in capal)ility unit IIIc
Litz shaly loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (LsB2). — This soil can be cultivated if it is jiroperly
managed and pi'otected. The (V.V2 acres are in capability
unit Ille .'51.
Litz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (LsC2). — Because of its .strong slopes, this soil de-
mands careful management and protection if cultivated
crops are to be grown. The management needed is that
outlined for capability unit IVe-3L There are 1,493
acres.
Litz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely
eroded (LsC3). — This soil has been so severely eroded that
further cultivation is not advisable. It is also more
droughty than the noi'inal uneroded soil. It should be
managed as outlined for capability unit VIe-3. There
are 604 acres.
Litz shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (LsD2). — Cultivation produces a .severe hazard of
erosion on these .slopes, and the 791 acres of this soil are
in capability unit VIe-3. About 69 acres of the mapping
unit are somewhat channery as well as shaly.
Litz shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely
eroded (LsD3). — This Litz shaly loam is so stee]) and has
been so severely eroded that it is not suitable for crops.
With proper management, it could supply some grazing.
The 579 acres are in capability unit VIIe-3. A few spots
are channel"}'.
Litz shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (LsE2). — This soil is too steep and shallow for cul-
tivation, although there has been onl}' moderate erosion.
Some grazing might be produced, however, if good stands
of deep-rooted pasture plants can be established. The
soil is in capability unit YIIe-3. It occupies 379 acres.
There are a few channery spots.
Litz shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes, severely
eroded (LsE3). — On these slopes of severel}- eroded, thin
soil, grazing is not practical. The areas should be re-
WASHIN(iT()N COUNTY, MAUVLAM)
41
forested. This soil is in (■;ii)iil)ili(_v iiiiil N'ilc ;5. It oc-
cupies I'M) acres.
Litz shaly loam, 45 to 60 percent slopes (LsF). This
is the steepest Ijilz sluily loain. It is uiieroded hecause
all of it has iviiiaiiied in forest, and that is the hest use.
The U>2 acres are in capal)ility unit \'lle 'A.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes
(LtB). — The Litz-Teas complexes consist of intricate nii.x-
tures of Litz soils and oi" the similar, but reddish, 'IVas
soils. E\en tlioujili this mapping:- unit is <>-ent]y or mod-
erately sl()pin<>', there is some thi-eaf of erosion. There
are acivs, in capability miit Ile-11.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (LtC2). — Ln()u<>h erosion has taken
place on this thin .soil to limit its use for crops. Cul-
tivated crops may be ojrown with the careful niana<;ement
to check erosion that is given for its capability unit,
IIIe-;n. There are (I'jr) aci'es, many of them in orchai'ds.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded (LtC3). — Erosion has been so severe on
these moderate slopes that ci'oppin<»: nnist be very stron<i;ly
limited if further damage is to be prevented. The 126
acres are in capability unit IVe-31.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (LtD2). — Erosion has not been severe
on these soils, but slopes are so p;reat that cropping
must be severely limited. There ai'e 164 acres, in capa-
bility unit IVe-31.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, severely eroded (LtD3). — Erosion lias been so act ive
that these soils are of little use for other than deep-rooted
sod plants or trees. The 1(57 acres ai'e in capabilitv unit
VIe-3.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (LfE2). — These slopes are too
steep and the soils too thin for safe cultivation, but sod
crops can be produced. Tlie soils occupy 56 acres and
are in capability unit yie-3.
Melvin Series
The Melvin series consists of poorly drained soils of
the flood plains, made up of fine materials that were
washed from limestone soils. The soils are more poorly
drained than either the Huntinoton or Lindside soils
of the same flood plains, but they are not so pooi-ly
drained as the Dunniug soils.
The Melvin soils were also mapped as parts of un-
differentiated units with the Dunning soils. These undif-
ferentiated units have been listed after the discussion of
the Dunning series.
Profile of Melvin silt loam at a point in the flood ])lain
of Grove Creek just north of the Smithsburg-Tveitersburg
Road, about 75 yards northwest of its intersection witli
Durberry Road :
A„ 0 to 10 inches: light olive-brown (2.5Y 5/4) silt loam
or light silty clay loam; no ai)i)arent structure; hard
to very hard when dry, moderately firm when moist,
and plastic and sticky when wet; roots relatively
few; many fine pores and some worm channels;
mildly to moderately alkaline; abrupt, smooth
l)oundary; this is the recent overwash deposit and
is the present surface soil; horizon is 8 to 12 inches
thick.
Ciu 10 to 18 inclu's: dark xrayiHli-brown to oiivoxray (2.5Y
4/2 to 5Y 4/2) silt loam; 5 to 10 percent mcdiiim,
distinct splotches of recldisli y(?llow (T./iYll 0/8);
moderate, m(-dium to coarse, crumb structure; mofl-
erat(!ly hard when dry, friable when moist, and mod-
erately [jlastic and moderately sticky when wet; few
roots; many fine and a few large jjores anfl wonn
channels; this hori/oii was the surface? soil before the
overwash was depositefl; moderat(4v alkaline; alirujit,
smooth boundary, except that fingers extend down-
ward tiirough old root chaiuiels or siilisoil cracks into
th(! liori/on below; horizon is 6 to 10 inclu^s thick.
18 to 30 inches 4 : pale-olive (5Y 6/4) silty clay loarn;
about no percent sjiecks and sjxjts of light and dark
gray, olive gray, anfl olive yellow; com[>ound, mod-
erate, coarse, |)laty and strong, medium, subangular
blocky structure; very hard wiien dry, firm wh(?ri
moist, and very i)lastic and very sticky when wet;
no roots; moderately to strongly alkaline.
The surface layer varies in thickness from phice to
place. Tlie subsoil is neaj ly everywhere alkaline. Locally,
tlie immediate surface layer will be more brown than in
t lie t y[)ic;il proiile descril)e(l, or somewhat reddish, depend-
ing tipon the nature of the most recent deposit at that
point. This is a poorly drained soil and one that may still
be .subject to flooding. It is wet for long peri(xls, and the
water table is close to- the surface in wet seasons.
Melvin silt loam (Me). — A proHle of this soil was
described. The subsoil and substratum are calcareous in
some places. Artilicial drainage is needed for fidl nse
and production. Limitations in use after drainage and
the frequent flood hazard are the reasons why the soil is
placed in capability unit IIIw-2. A few areas that are
more frequently damaged by flooding are better used for
permanent grass or woodland. There are 146 aci'es in the
county. The slope is almost everywhere less than
percent.
Monongahela Series
The Monongahela series consists of moderately well
drained, acid, brown soils on A^ery old ri^-er terraces.
The soils have a thick, strongly developed fragipan (silt-
pan) in the lower subsoil. They developed in old alluvial
deposits that originated in areas of acid sandstone and
shale. The areas are mostly along the Potomac River,
but a few small areas are elsewhere in the county. The
Monongahehx soils are less well drained than the brown
Holston soils and the reddish Waynesboro soils, but they
are much better drained than the Tyler soils. All of these
soils are located on the same terrace formations. Most of
the acreage of Monongaliela soils in the comity has been
cleared.
Profile of Monongahela gravelly loam, o to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded, in a once cultivated, but now
idle, area 50 yards north of the AYestern Maryland Rail-
road tracks, one-half mile west of Shankton Road:
A„ 0 to 8 inches: brown (lOYR 5/3), gravelly, heavy loam;
moderate, fine, crumb structure; moderately hard
when dry, friable when moist, and moderately plas-
tic and moderately sticky when wet; roots plentiful;
about 15 jjercent waterworn sandstone gravel; me-
dium acid; abrupt, smooth boundary; horizon is 6 to
8 inches thick.
B21 8 to 18 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/6) gravelly
silt loam; compound, weak, coarse, platy and mod-
erate, medium, subangular blocky structure; mod-
erately hard when dry, slightly firm and somewhat
brittle when moist, and moderately plastic and
42
SOIL SURVEY SP:RIES 1 959, NO. 17
inodoratoly sticky when wet; roots plentiful; many
fine and medium jiores; about 20 percent waterworn
gravel; medium acid; clear, smooth boundary; hori-
zon is 8 to 10 inches thick.
- Boo,,, 18 to 32 inches: strong-brown (7.5 YR 5/6), gravelly,
light silty clay loam; about 40 percent horizontal
streaks of light yellowish l)rown (lOYR 6/4); com-
pound, strong, medimn, (jlaty and strong, fine to
medium, blocky structure; very hard when dry,
firm and very brittle when moist, and plastic and
sticky when wet; very few roots; slowly permeable;
this is a true fragipan, or siltpan; about 15 percent
gravel; very strongly acid; gradual, smooth bound-
ary; horizon is 12 to 18 inches thick.
B:),„ 32 to 50 inches: variegated by distinct , mostly horizontal
lay(>rs, yellowish-red and brownish-yellow (5YR 5/6
and lOS'R 6/6), gravelly, heavy silt loam to light
silty clay loam; compound, strong, coarse, platy
ancl very strong, medium, blocky structure; very
hard when dry, firm and very brittle when moist,
and j)lastic and very sticky when wet; no visible
roots; about 30 percent gravel; a fragipan horizon;
very strongly acid; fairly clear, smooth boundary;
horizon is 15 to 24 inches thick.
C 50 to 60 inches ^ : yellowish-red (SYR 5/6), very grav-
elly, decomposed shale of loam texture; about 20
percent medium, distinct mottles of reddish yellow
(7.5YR 6/6); weak, coarse, platy structure; moder-
ately hard when dry, firm when moist, and sticky
and slightly j)lastic when wet; no roots; ai)out 40
])ercent waterworn sandstone gravel; extremely acid.
The fraf!:ipan layers may be from about 2 to nearly
G feet (liick. Some areas have a more yellowish and less
l>i-()wn surface layer and sidxsoil than the horizons de-
scribed. Cidtivated areas conunonly have many surface
rills and small erullies that may cut into the fragipan.
The fragipan slows down internal drainage, increasing
the runolF and the hazard of erosion. The ]\Ionongahela
soils are fairly wet and cold in spring, altliough in dry
midsummer weather their available moisture is generally
low. Thus, they tend to be too wet part of the year and
somewhat droughty at other times.
Monongahela gravelly loam, .3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (MgB2). — This soil has tlie prolile that
is described. The threat of erosion from tiie runoff on
these slopes is a more significant management [)roblem
than tlie impeded drainage, and the soil has been ])laced
in capability unit Ile-l:'). There are oOl acres.
Monongahela gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (MgC2). — On these slopes runoll' is
rapid and the erosion hazard is great. The 110 acres are
in capability unit Ille-M.
Monongahela silt loam, 0 to .3 percent slopes (MhA). —
This soil has a profile like the one described, but it is
less gravelly throughout and the surface soil is more silty.
On these nearly level areas, both runoff and internal
drainage are slow and wetness is a greater hindrance to
use than the threat of erosion. The 443 acres are in
capability unit IIw-l.
Monongahela silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (MhB2). — This is the most extensive soil in
the ]\Ionongahela series in the county. Over most of the
acreage, much of the surface layer has been lost. There
are many gullies in places, but most of them are shal-
low; on 24 acres erosion has been severe. This soil
can be used for all suitable crops Avith management to
prevent further damage. It occupies 861 acres and is in
capability unit IIe-13.
Monongahela silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (MhC2). — Because care is required to cul-
tivate the slopes safely, the 223 acres of this soil are in
capability unit irie-13.
Monongahela silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (MhD2). — This is the stee{)est soil of the
Monongahela series in the county. Because of the slope
and tlie degree of j)ast erosion, the soil is suited to tilled
crops grown oidy infrequently in very long rotations.
If tiUed crops are grown, conservation measures imist be
carefully applied. The 57 acres are in capability unit
IVe-9.
Montevallo Series
The Montevallo series consists of very shallow, exces-
sively drained, skeletal soils. The soils have a weakly
developed A horizcm and practically no B horizon. The
surface layei' directly overlies i)artially decomposed and
hard, gray to pale-brown shales. In some places the
parent shales contain a small amount of lime.
The ISfontevallo soils occur mostly on the shale ridges
north and west of Fairview Mountain, but some are on
ridges and steep areas on both sides of Conococheague
Creek. Only so)ne of the most gently sloping and least
eroded Montevallo soils ai-e suitable for regular cultiva-
tion, and then oidy with very careful management. These
soils are low in natural fertility and are not very pro-
ductive.
Profile of Montevallo shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded, in a forested area on Blair Valley
Koad one-half mile south of the Pennsylvania State line:
A, 0 to 4 inches: brown (lOYR 4/3) shaly loam; moderate to
strong, medium, crumb structure; slightly hard when
dry, very friable when moist, and nonplastic but
slightly sticky when wet; roots plentiful; about 30
percent partially decomposed shale; strongly acid;
clear, wavy boundary; horizon is 2 to 6 inches thick.
C 4 to 12 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4) very shah-
loam; strong, medium, crumb structure; slightly hard
when dry, friable when moist, and nonplastic but
slightly sticky when wet; roots few; 70 to 95 percent
shale, partially decomposed; strongly acid; abrupt,
wavy boundary; horizon is 6 to 10 inches thick.
Dr 12 inches +: light brownish-grav, pale-brown, and light
yellowish-brown (2.5 Y 6/2, 10 YR 6/3, and 2.5Y 6/4),
moderately hard to very hard shale.
Locally, the immediate surface layer in forested areas
is almost black. Cultivated areas have a yellowish-brown
to light brownish-gray surface layer; some eroded areas
have a surface layer that is more brown and less gray.
The soil may be more acid than that described in the i^ro-
file. In the extreme western part of the county, the C
horizon may have a slight reddish cast, where the Monte-
vallo soils are close to soils of the Calvin series.
Montevallo shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (MmB2). — This soil has the jjrofile that is
described in detail. Erosion is a hazard, but it is less of
a management problem on these thin, droughty soils than
the maintenance of moisture and fertility. The 1,857 acres
are, therefore, in capability unit IIIs-2.
Montevallo shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (MmC2). — On these slopes the risk of ero-
sion is the most important management problem, but the
soil also has hazards of drotightiness and low fertility.
The soil is in capability unit IVe-32. It occupies 2,972
acres.
\vAsiiiN(;'i()N corxrv, mahvland
43
Montevallo shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, se-
verely eroded (MniC3). — 'I'his soil li.is Ihhmi so sovcrolv
(nodiMl (hilt lluMo is little but shale left. With very careful
inana^fcnuMit and erosion control, and with stroiijr limita-
tions on iira/iiii;', I lie soil can he used I'or pasluiv. 'i'liere
are 1,C)2S acres, in cai)al)ility unit VIe-;5.
Montevallo shaly loam, 20 to .'{O percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (MmD2). — Erosion has not l)een seveiv on
(his soil, but there is such a strong risk of erosion that the
soil should not be used for cultivated crops. The 1,812
acres are in capal)ility unit VIe-S.
Montevallo shaly loam, 20 to .'JO percent slopes, se-
verely eroded (MmD3).--'riiis steep soil has l)een so severely
eroded that it should not be cultivated, and firazino; will
be hazardous. The soil should be refoivsted wherever
feasible. There are 623 acres, in capability unit VIle-3.
Murrill Series
The Murrill series consists of soils that are deep and
well drained. The soils developed on a combination of
two very ditl'erent kinds of materials. They are on ex-
tensive colluvial fans of material from acid rocks, mostly
sandstone and quartzite. The rocks have been moved by
gravity from mountains and ridges out into the valleys
over limestone materials. The mantle of acid material
is everywhere thin enough to allow" the underlying lime-
stone or limestone residuum to influence the soil that has
been deveIoi)ed. In most places the surface layer has been
strongly influenced by the limestone. There are spots,
however, where the surface layer and the upper subsoil
have been developed in nearly pure (puirtzite or sandstone
material and the lower subsoil has been developed in lime-
stone residuum.
The Murrill soils are extensive and important; they
make up about 6 percent of the county. These soils occur
at many places on the fringes of the limestone valley,
but they are most extensive in the Clear Spring area just
east of Fair\ iew Mountain. The topography is generally
favorable for agriculture, mostly undulating to gently
rolling.
The Murrill soils are fertile, fairly easily managed, and
highly productive under good management. Besides being
deep, well drained, and productive, they have a high
capacity for furnishing moisture to crops. Most of the
acreage has excellent air drainage and is highly regarded
for orchards, as well as for general farm crops and pas-
ture. ]S"early all areas are used for crops, pastures, or
orchards, with only a few spots remaining in forest.
Profile of Murrill silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, in a
cultivated field just back of the new elementary school
at Clear Spi'ing:
Ap 0 to 7 inches: dark grayish-brown (lOYR 4/2) silt loam;
moderate, fine to medium, crumb structure; shghtly
hard when dry, friable when moist, and slightly plas-
tic and moderately sticky when wet; roots abundant;
occasional subangular to rounded sandstone gravel
fragments; slightly acid; abrupt, smooth boundary;
horizon is 6 to 8 inches thick.
Bi 7 to 17 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4) silt loam;
weak to moderate, fine, subangular bloeky structure;
moderately hard when dry, friable when moist, and
moderately plastic and moderately sticky when wet;
roots plentiful; many fine and medium and some large
pores; occasional gravel fragments; slightly acid;
clear, wavy boundary; horizon is 6 to 10 inches thick.
lU, 17 to 20 inches: ycllowisli-brown (lOYR 5/fi), light Kilty
clay loam; itio(lcrat(? to strong, fine ancl riicdiiirn,
blocky and sul)angular blocky structure!; tiard when
dry, in<)d(Tately firm when moisl, and sticky and
moderately plastic when wet; roots fairly (;<jmmon;
many fine and medium pores; very few gravel frag-
ments; sliglitly acid; gradual, wavy boundary; hori-
zon is 8 to 12 inches thick.
J},. 20 to 40 inches: n-ddish-ycilow (7..5YR 0/0) silty clay
loam; strong, fine and medium, blocky structure;
hard when dry, firm when moist, and sticky and
plavstic when wet; a few fine roots; fine pores;
no gravel; common, self-colored clay skins and many
black films on aggregates; medium acirl; gradual to
clear, wavy bounriary; horizon is 12 to 20 iiiclies
thick. The horizcjii appears to be transitional
between the doniinant iy sandstone ujjper materials
and the limestoiK; residuuni materials below.
Bjit 40 to 51 inches: strong-brown (7. SYR 5/0) silty clay loam;
slightly variegated, with about 20 {)ercent fine specks
either more yellowish or more reddish than the base
color; compound, strong, medium to coarse, platy
and moderate, mcflium, subangular blocky structure;
very hard when dry, firm when moist, and sticky and
very [jlastic when wet ; a very few fine roots; only fine
pores; no gravel; common clay skins on block surfaces,
with some plate surfaces coated with black; strongly
acid; clear, wavy to irregular boundary; horizon is
8 to 12 inclies thick.
C 51 to 72 inches -\- : strong-brown (7.5YR .5/8) very silty
clay loam; very weak, platy to massive structure;
hard when dry, moderately firm and brittle when
moist, and plastic and slightly sticky when wet; occa-
sional black specks; no gravel; medium to slightly
acid.
Throughotit the Murrill series, there is considerable
variation in depth to the stibstratum, in content of gravel,
in texture of the surface layer, and, most important, iit
the proportions of and the degree of mixing of the acid
colltivial and the residtial limestone materials. There is
also some variation in color. Where limestone material
is dominant, the soil is somewhat more red than described;
vrhere sandstone material is dominant, the upper part
of the soil, in particular, is somewhat more yellow.
Murrill gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (MoA). —
This soil has a profile mtich like the one described in
detail, except that its surface layer contains more gravel
and less silt and clay. There is also more gravel through-
out the profile. This soil is very gently sloping. It can
be cultivated freely without danger of damage if good
farming practices are follow-ed. This soil occupies 1,479
acres and is in capability unit I^.
Murrill gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (MoB2). — This is the most extensive Mur-
rill soil. There are 9,485 acres; they can be cultivated
with fairly simple practices to prevent ftirther erosion
and are well suited to all crops grown in the area. This
soil is in capability unit Ile^.
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (MoC2). — This is another extensive soil.
With more careful management than that needed on the
more gently sloping soil, it can be safely used for all
kinds of farming. The 4,122 acres are in capability unit
IIIe-1.
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, se-
verely eroded (MoD3). — This soil has been severely dam-
aged by erosion. Most of the original surface layer and,
in some places, part of the subsoil have been eroded, and
there are frequent gullies in most places. Further cultiva-
tion is not practical, but this soil can produce excellent
44
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 19.59, NO. 17
jiraziilii- if well sodded and nmiiaged. There are 84 acres,
in (•■•ipaljilit y unit Vle-2.
Murrill f»ravelly loam, 15 to 2.5 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (MoD2). — The sh)i)i" of this soil is ci-itical
enou<j:h so that cultivaHon sliould be limited to an
occasional tilled crop in a long rotation with sod crops.
The soil is well suited to sodded oi-chards. The .596 acres
are in capability unit IVe-.'i.
Murrill gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, mod-
erately er«)ded (MoE2). — There are only ;>[ acres of this
steep soil. Because of the slope, pasture would be a
nuich more suilal)le and safe use than any cropping. This
soil is in capability unit Vie 2.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
(MrB). — This soil has a surface layei- more sandy than that
of the gravelly loam. The saml, like tlie gi-avel, is materia!
remaining from the sandstone i)art of the parent material.
The sand makes the soil somewhat less fertile and less
productive than the olliei- Alui-i-ill soils and tends to
make it somewhat droughty. The .'UiS acres are in capa-
bility unit IIs-2.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, ,3 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (MrC2). — On these slopes, where some
erosion has already taken place, the hazard of erosion
is of more significance in management than the sandy
nature of the soil. Because of this combination of ei-osioii
hazard and sandy soil, the (wf-i acres aiv in ca])ability
unit IIIe-5.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded (MrC3). — Cultivation causes a particular
hazard of further erosion on this eroded, sloping, sandy
soil. An occasional crop may be grown witli pro])er man-
agement, but the soil is better suited to liay or grazing.
The 84 acres are in capability unit IVe-.5.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (MrD2). — On this soil, erosion has not
been severe, but, because the slopes are steep, there is a
threat of erosion if cover is not maintained. The 88
acres are in capability unit IVe-5.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
severely eroded (MrD3). — Tliis steep soil has been too se-
verely eroded to permit any furtlier c\dtivati(m. It should
be ke|)t in sod and cai-efully grazed, or it should be planted
to trees. Tlie soil occupies 40 acres and is in capability
unit VIe-2.
Murrill silt loam, 0 to ."> percent slopes (MsA). — Tliis
is probably the best agricultural soil of the Murrill series.
It has the jirofile that is described in detail. The surface
laver is silt loam; the soil is nearly level; tliere is very
little gravel to interfere with cultivation; and there has
been practically no erosion. The 269 acres are in capa-
bility unit 1-4.
Murrill silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (MsB2). — Erosion can be controlled on this sloping-
soil witli the management suggested for its capability
unit, lie— i. The soil is suited to all the crops of the area,
and it is especially good for orchards. There are 872 acres.
Murrill silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded (MsC2). — Intensive erosion-control ])ractices are
required to keep this soil in a condition to continuously
])roduce good crops. There are 214 acres, in capability
unit IIle-4.
Myersville Series
The Myersville sei-ies consists of deep, well-di-ained,
brown soils developed in material weatheivd from meta-
basalt, a rock locally known as greenstone. The Myersville
soils are somewliat similar to the Highdeld soils, but
they aie moi-e deeply weathered and more mature, and
tliey luive stronger coloi-s and more strongly developed
soil structure. The Myersv ille soils occur mostly at lower
elevations in valleys, and the Ilighlield soils are mostly
limited to higher elevations on ridges ami mountains.
The Fau<juier soils were also developed in the same parent
rock nuiterial, but they are much redder throughout tlieir
profile and are more maturely developed than the Myers-
\ ille soils.
The Myersville soils are extensive in Washington
(-ounty, ))arti(ndarly in the southeastern part. They are
fertile and productive ami are iiiglily regarded for farm-
ing. Only a few spots, other than stony areas, remain
in forest.
Profile of Myersville silt loam, 0 to Z percent slopes,
in a forest 100 yards west ami 200 yards south of the
intersection of Kaetzell Koad with State Koad No. 67,
near Ciai)lan(l :
Ai 0 to 3 inches: very dark brown (lOYR 2/2) silt loam;
moderate, fine, crumb structure; sliglitly hard when
dry, very friable when moist, and slightly plastic and
sliglitly sticky when wet; roots abundant; medium
acid; clear to abrupt, wavy boundary: horizon is 1 to
3 inches thick.
A2 3 to 8 inches: brown (lOYR 5/3) silt loam; moderate,
medium, crumb structure; hard when dry, friable
when moist, and moderately plastic and mofieratelv
sticky when wet; roots plentiful; many fine and medi-
um and some large pores; strongly acid; clear, wavy
boundary; horizon is 4 to 7 inches thick.
B;., 8 to 16 inches: strong-brown (7. SYR 5^8) gritty silty clay
loam; moderate, medium, subangular blocky struc-
ture; very hard when dry, moderately firm when
moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; roots rather
plentiful; many fine and medium pores; strongly acid;
gradual, wavy boundary; horizon is 6 to 12 inches
thick.
B22 Ifi to 38 inches: yellowish-red (SYR S/8) silty clay loam
to clay loam; strong, meciium, blocky structure; very
hard when dry, firm when moist, and j)lastic and very
sticky when wet; few roots; many fine and some
medium pores; thick self-colored clay skins and some
black films on aggregate surfaces and in pores and
root channels; very strongly acid; gradual, wavy to
irregular boundary; horizon is 12 to 24 inches thick.
B3 38 to 46 inches: variegated vellowish-red, reddish-vellow,
yellow, and olive (SYR S/6, 7.SYR 6/6, lOYR 7/6,
and 5Y 5/3) gritty silty clay loam; weak to moderate,
coarse, blocky structure; very hard when dry, firm
and somewhat brittle when moist, and sticky and
plastic when wet; very few roots; many fine and
some medium pores; some pores and aggregates coat-
ed with yellowish-red clay skins or black films; very
strongly acid; gradual, wavy to irregular boundary;
horizon is 6 to 15 inches thick.
C 46 to 60 inches + : yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/8), soft,
decomposed metabasalt of clay loam texture; in-
herited laminar structure; moderately hard or hard
when dry, firm and brittle when moist, and plastic
and sticky when wet; some red clay flows and a few
black films in upper part; contains some fragments
of hard metabasalt schist; strongly acid.
Some of the Myersville soils are deeper than the profile
described, ranging up to 6 feet or more of solum over
the substratum. In such places the lower subsoil may
WASllINCTON COUNTY, MAKVLAND
45
be sonu'whiU niorc reddisli than tlic one dcsci-ilu'd. Soinc
•^ravtd and small stones are comnion, both of <fivenish
metahasalt and of while <iiiai-t/,ile, which is a coninion
impurity in the metahasalt.
Myeisville channery loam, 0 to :i percent slopes
(MvA). — The profile of this soil dill'ers from that of the
silt loam described in that the surface layer is somewhat
less silty, and tlie entire soil, ])art icidarly the surface
layer, contains many small, flat pieces of metahasalt or
fjreenstone. Some of the fra<;ments are hai-d, and some
have been partly dec<)mi)osed. This neai-ly level soil
occupies only 47 acres, but it is of particular im])ortance
because it is' in capability unit 1-4. The soil can be culti-
vated regularly, without' damafje, if ordinary good farm-
in<r methods, including rotations, are used.
Myersville channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (MvB2). — There are l,-VM acres of this
good, geiillv sloping soil. The soil is in capability unit
lIe-4.
Myersville channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (MvC2). — Special management to con-
trol or prevent erosion is necessary to keep this sloping
soil in regular cultivation. There are 1,676 acres, in
capability imit IIIe-4.
Myersville channery loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (MvD2). — On this strongly slojiing soil,
there is a hazard of erosion. Occasional cropping can be
done if the soil is kei)t in tight vegetative cover, such as
hay or pasture, most of the time. The soil occupies 418
aci-es and is in capability nnit IVe-3.
Myersville channery loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (MvE2). — This is the steepest Myers-
ville channery loam. Cultivation should not be attempted
on it because the hazard of erosion is too great. The
soil will produce excellent pasture if carefully sodded and
not overgrazed. The 175 acres are in capability unit VIe-2.
Myersville channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
severely eroded (MwB3). — This soil contains some inclu-
sions of Myersville channery loam and of Myersville silt
loam. There are i)'2 acres in capability nnit Ille— 1:4.
Myersville channery silt loam, 10 to 30 percent
slopes, severely eroded (MwD3). — This soil sliould not be
cropped. Pernument sod for pasture or perhaps occasion-
ally for hay would be a much safer use. The 57 acres are
in capability unit VIe-2.
Myersville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (MxA). —
This soil has the profile that is described as representative
of the series. It is nearly level, contains very little gravel,
and has not been appreciably eroded. This is an excellent
soil for all purposes. The 131 acres are in capability
unit 1—4.
Myersville silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded (MxB2). — This soil needs protection against
erosion. There are 532 acres, in capability unit lie— 4.
Myersville silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (MxC2). — This soil is strongly sloping, and
it needs to be protected against erosion. Fairly long
rotations are in order. The soil is in capability unit
Ille— 4. It occupies 153 acres.
Myersville very stony loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (MyE2). — About 40 percent of the
acreage of this soil is occupied by stones and boulders
of greenstone, some l)urie(| iind manv on the sui face. Tiie
soil is too stony for cult i vat ion, but it makes good pasture
and pel haps will proilucesome hay crops. Thei'e aiv 1,42S
aci-es, in capability unit VIs-2.
Myersville very stony loam, 30 to 5.') percent slopes,
eroded (MyF2). - Tiiis soil is so steep, so stony, and in .^ome
places so severely eroded that grazing is not practicable.
It occupies 147 aci-es and is in c;ipability unit VIIs-2.
Philo Series
The Philo .series consists of modeialely well cirained
to somewhat poorly drained soils of the flood plains. The
soils are composed of fine matei'ials that were washed
originally from areas of acid, sedimentary rocks, chiefly
sandstone and shale. Although the soil materials below
tlie surface layer show some mottling as a result of im-
peded drainage and poor aeration, there has been no real
soil profile development. The Pliilo soils are mostly in
that })ai't of the county west of Faii'\iew .Mountain, al-
thougli i)art of the acreage is in the drainage area
of Little Antietam Creek. The soils consist of materials
essentially the same as those of the better drained Pope
soils and the more poorly drained Atkins soils of the
same areas.
The Philo soils are moderately extensive, but they have
not been intensively used. Some hay and corn are grown,
and some areas are in pasture.
Profile of Philo silt loam, in a forested area near the
intersection of Draper Road and Harvey Road North:
A] 0 to 13 inches: very dark grayish-brown (lOYR 3'2) silt
loam; very weak, fine to medium, crumb structure;
hard when dry, friable when moist, and slightly plas-
tic and slightly sticky when wet; roots abundant;
medium acid; gradual, smooth boundary; horizon is
10 to 16 inches thick.
Cig 13 to 20 inches: dark grayish-brown (lOYR 4 2) silt loam;
about 20 percent fine, faint to distinct mottles of
dark yellowish brown and dark olive gray (lOYR 4/4
and 5Y 3/2); very weak, fine to medium, subangular
blocky structure; hard when dry, friable to firm when
moist, and moderately plastic and slightly sticky
when wet; roots rather plentiful; many fine and me-
dium pores; strongly acid; clear, smooth boundary;
horizon is 9 to 12 inches thick.
Cag 20 to 40 inches +: dark olive-brown (2.5Y 4/2) heavy
silt loam; about 25 percent very coarse, prominent
blotches of yellowish red (5YR 4/6) ; compound,
weak, coarse, platy and very weak, fine or medium,
flattened blocky structure; hard or very hard when
dry, moderately firm when moist, and moderately
plastic and moderately sticky when wet; very few
roots; strongly acid; grades to sandy and gravelly
materials.
The texture of the surface layer ranges from sandy loam
to heavy silt loam, and some areas are quite gravelly. In
some places the siibstratum is more olive colored than that
described, with more prominent mottling in the Cig
horizon. The Philo soils are normally wet for considerable
periods, and the water table is close to the surface. Some
areas are flooded rather frequently.
Philo gravelly sandy loam (Pg). — The profile of this
soil differs from the one described only in that it is less
silty and more sandy and is gravelly throughout. The
gravel is mostly waterworn sandstone. The surface layer
tends to be somewhat more sandy than the substratum.
A few areas that are subject to frequent floods should be
46
SOIL SURVEY SEItlKS 19 5!), NO. 17
mana<j:ed for sod crops and grazing. The 430 acres are in
capability unit lI\v-7.
Philo silt loam (Ph). — The profile of this soil is the one
described for the series. Most areas are nearly level, but
in many places the slope is about 3 percent. A few areas
that are subject to frequent floods should be managed
for sod crops and grazing. There are 1,254: acres, in
capability unit IIw-7.
Pope Series
The Pope series consists of deep, well-drained soils of
the flood plains. The soils are made up of the same
kind of materials as the Philo soils, materials that were
washed originally from soils on acid sandstone and shale.
They are much IxMtei- drained than the Philo soils, and
do not show any evidence of soil-forming processes other
than some darkening of the surface layer by organic
matter.
The Pope soils are extensive in the county. They are
mostly in the western part, in small, widely scattered
areas along streams. The soils are nearly all in use,
chiefly for corn, hay crops, and ])asture, but some small
grains are grown and even some orchards.
Profile of Pope fine sandy loam, in an area of grazed
woods in the flood plain of Lanes Run near its crossing
with Licking Creek Koad :
Ai 0 to 16 inches: dark grayish-brown (lOYR 4/2) fine sandy
loam; weak, medium, crumb structure; moderately
hard when dry, friable when moist, and slightly plas-
tic and slightly sticky when wet; roots aVjundant;
many worm channels; slightly to medium acid; grad-
vial, smooth boundary; horizon is 14 to 18 inches
thick.
C 16 to 4t) inches: brown (lOYR 4/3), heavy fine sandy loam
or very light silt loam; compound, very weak, me-
dium, platy and weak, medium, cruml) structure;
hard when dry, friable when moist, and moderately
plastic and moderately sticky when wet; roots plen-
tiful in upper part; medium to strongly acid; abrupt,
wavy boundary; horizon is 24 to 40 inches thick.
D 46 inches + : interbedded lavers of gravel and brown sandv
silt.
There is some variation in color. In some places the C
horizon is more yellowish brown or more reddish brown
than the one described. The reddish-brown colors are
mostly in the soils in the extreme western part of the
county, where at least part of the soil material has been
washed from areas of Calvin soils. The texture ranges
from sandy loam to silt loam, and some of the soils are
stony or gravelly, or both. The gravelly D horizon is,
in some places, many feet below the surface.
Pope fine sandy loam (Pn). — This soil has the profile
that is described in detail, and it is the most extensive
of the Pope soils in the county. Although there is some
hazard of flooding, this soil is used for all the crops com-
monly grown. A few areas that could not be separated
on the map are occasionally or frequently flooded. Their
cropping intensity and pattern should be adjusted to the
overflow hazard. There are 1,793 acres of this soil, in
capability unit 1-6. Most areas are nearly level, but in
a few places the slope is as great as 8 percent.
Pope gravelly loam (Po). — This soil contains less sand
and more gravel than Pope fine sandy loam. Most
areas are nearly level, but in some places the slope is as
great as H {)ei-cent. There are 436 acres of this soil, in
capability unit L-6.
l*ope gravelly sandy loam (Pp). — iiecause this soil is
sandy, it is slightly di-oiigiity. There are 446 acres of it.
Most of the soil is nearly level, but some of it has slopes
between .') and S percent, 'i'he soil is in capability unit
I Is 2.
Pope silt loam (Ps). — This Pope soil has a profile more
silty and less sandy than the one described. It is produc-
tive and suitable for practically all uses. The 442 acres
are in capability unit 1-6. A few areas are occasionally
or frequently overflowed, and cropping intensity and pat-
tern should be adjusted accordingly.
Pope stony gravelly loam (Pt). — This Pope soil is too
stony for normal cultivation. The stones were probably
washed from nearby steep slopes during former heavy
floods. The soil can be so managed as to make fairly good
grazing, or it would make good woodland. Most oJP the
soil is in forest. It occupies 87 acres and is in capability
unit Vs-2.
Rocky Eroded Land
Areas of this land type consist of very severely eroded
remnants of rocky to extremely rocky Hagerstown and
Frankstown soils and a few areas of Corydon soils. The
areas are more rocky than the areas of Eroded land, lime-
stone materials. Kocky eroded land is shai i)ly limited in
usefulness, and its t reatment is difficult.
Rocky eroded land (Rk). — There are 823 acres of this
land type, in capability unit VlIs-1. Cultivation is im-
possible, and grazing is mostly impracticable. The best
use for this land would be to have it reforested, mostly for
watershed protection, although there might be some re-
turn from tlie woodland products.
Rohrersville Series
The Rohrersville series consists of poorly drained soils
that were developed in fine materials washed from areas
of Fauquier, Myersville, and Highfield soils. The fine
materials were deposited in upland depressions, around
heads of drains, or on narrow foot slopes. The original
source of the fine materials was the metabasalt, or green-
stone, that was weathered to form the parent material
of those soils.
The Rohrersville soils occur only in small areas, but
these are distributed through the greenstone areas of the
county, especially in Pleasant Valley, which is drained by
Israel ('reek. Where drainage can be improved and con-
trolled, the soils are well suited to some crops and are
fairly productive. They are used mostly for corn and
hay, but some small grain crops and soybeans are pro-
duced, and some areas are used for pasture.
Profile of Rohrersville silty clay loam, 0 to 8 perceiit
slopes, moderately eroded, in a cultivated field about thre^-
tenths of a mile southwest of Gapland:
Ap 0 to 6 inches: olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) silty clay loam; very
weak, platy structure, readily crushing to weak, fine
and medium crumbs; moderately hard to hard when
dry, friable to somewhat firm when moist, and mod-
erately plastic and moderately sticky when wet; roots
abundant; medium acidj clear, smooth boundary;
horizon is 5 to 7 inches tliick.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAHYLA.NI)
47
Ho,^ (i to 15 inches: U^hi olivi'-brown (2.5Y 5/4) silly cliiy
loam; about 30 percent very fine, distinct mottles of
Xray and strong brown; coniponnd, weak, nu'dium,
plaiy and weak, fine to medium, blocky structure;
very hard when dry, firm and somewliat brittle when
moist, and sticky and very plastic wlien wet; a few
roots; strongly acid; al)rupt, smootli boundary; hcjri-
zon is 8 to 12 inches thick.
B22£ 15 to 36 inches + : olive (5Y 5/3) sandy clay loam to sandy
clay; about 20 percent medium, distinct mottles of
dark brown (7.5YII 4/4); compound, moderate,
coarse, platy and moderate, medium, irri'tjular, blocky
structure; hard when dry, firm wlien moist, and
plastic and sticky when w(?t; no visible roots; very
slowly permeable; strongly acid.
Ill some places there are recent, t liiii deposits ol" waslied-
iii material on the surface. This matei-ial is more reddish
than that in the i)roHle described. In places there are
soft, iron concretions in the lower subsoil. Locally the
soils are tuiderlain either by bedrock or by an old, buried
soil that is within .'5 or 4 feet of tlie surface. The soils
are snbject to temporary ])eriods of flooding or ponding.
Rohrersville silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (RoB2). — This is the only soil of this
series in the county. Erosion has been active, and there
are some rills and small gullies. Because wetness is a
greater hazard and management problem than tlie risk
of erosion, the 216 acres are in capability unit IlIw-1.
Stony Land
This land type is so stony and bouldery, contains so
many outcrops of rock, and is so rough that its uses are
strongly limited. In general, it is not suitable for graz-
ing and does not produce much if used for woodland.
The most suitable uses are for wildlife food and cover
areas, for watershed protection, and for recreational areas.
The small amount of soil between the stones and boul-
ders may resemble a soil of any of several series, generally
the Highfield, Dekalb, Chandler, or Edgemont soils. The
rocks are all acid rocks and there is no limestone.
Stony rolling land (Sr). — ^This land is generally in for-
est and should remain so. Slo|)es range to as much as
35 percent. Although the land is not ideal for forests,
some timber can be produced. High yields of timber
cannot ordinarily be expected, however, and the growth
of seedlings or young stock will be slow and the returns
small. Deer and other wildlife find protection in these
areas. Since most of the areas are in hilly or mountainous
parts, well toward the heads of drainageways, they fur-
nish watershed protection if they are forested. There
are 4,643 acres, in capability unit VIIs-2.
Stony steep land (Ss). — Because this land is steep and
rough, tree i)laiiting is not practicable, and production
of timber will be slow. In addition, the land is so rotigh
that little, if any, economic return from forest products
can be expected. The most valuable uses of this land will
be for wildlife and for watershed protection. The 2,857
acres are in capability tinit VIIIs-1.
Talladega Series
The Talladega series consists of shallow, well-drained
soils on highly micaceous schists. In Washington County,
however, the Talladega soils are somewhat deeper than
the average for the series elsewhere. They werc! devcloiied
in weathered mica schist covered by surface; d(;])f)si)s of
sandstone material that is probal)ly colluvium from higher
slopes. The Tiilladega soils occur in Wtishiiiglon ( Vjunty
on intermediate and lower slopes and benches of South
Moinitain. Oravel is common in the light-colored surface
layers of the soil, but it is absent from the lower sub.soil
and the substratum, which contain many flat fragments
of schist or phyllile.
The Talladega soils are used in (his county for a variety
of crops. They appear to be especially desirable for berry
crops and orchards because of their good position and
air drainage.
Profile of Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum
variant, 0 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded, in a
forest just east of Moser Road, about nine-tent lis of a
mile south of its intersection with Altei-nate TT.S. High-
way No. 40:
Ai 0 to 2 inches: dark reddish-brown (SYR 2/2), light grav-
elly silt loam; moderate, fine, crumb structure; soft
to slightly hard when dry, very friable when moist, and
slightly plastic and slightly sticky when wet; roots
matted; very strongly acid; abrupt, wavy to irregular
boiuidary; horizon is 1 to 4 inches thick.
A2 2 to 7 inches: yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4), light gravelly
silt loam; weak, fine, crumb structure; moderately
hard when dry, friable when moist, and slightly pla.s-
tic and slightly sticky when wet; roots jjlentiful; many
fine and mcfliuni pores; very strongly acid; clear to
abrupt, wavy boundary; horizon is 4 to 8 inches thick.
B21 7 to 22 inches: weakly variegated vellowish-brown and
yellowish-red (lOYR 5/6 and 5YR 5/6), gravelly and
somewhat channery, light silty clay loam; moderate,
medium, blocky structure; hard when dry, friable to
firm when moist, plastic and sticky when wet; roots
rather few; many fine and some large pores; this ap-
pears to be a transition between the soil derived from
sandstone or quartzite above and that part derived
from phyllite below; has a somewhat greasy feel; con-
tains considerable fine mica; very strongly acid; clear,
wavy to irregular boundary; horizon is 12 to 20 inches
thick.
B22 22 to 30 inches: yellowish-red (2.5 YR 5/8), channery, light
silty clay loam; compound, very weak, coarse, platy
and moderate to strong, medium, blocky structure;
hard to very hard when dry, firm when moist, and
plastic and sticky when wet; very few roots; many-
fine and medium pores; contains no angular gravel
but many chips and fragments of phyllite and much
finely divided mica; strongly acid; clear, irregular
boundary; horizon is 6 to 15 inches thick.
C 30 to 42 inches + : marbled vellowish-red and reddish-
yellow (5YR 5/8 and 7.5 YR 6/6), decomposed phyl-
lite of silty clay texture; inherited laminar structure;
hard to very hard when dr\', firm when moist, and
plastic and sticky when wet; a few woody roots; con-
tains considerable hard phyllite and an abundance
of fine mica; strongly acid.
In some places the surface layer is a little more silty
and contains less gravel than the one in the profile de-
scribed. These less gravelly areas are usually at the lowest
elevation. In wooded areas the Ao horizon sometimes has
a very faint or weak, platy structure. In eroded areas
the light-colored surface material has been removed, and
the exposed new surface is distinctly reddish.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant,
0 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded (TaC2). — This
is the most extensive Talladega soil in the county. It
has the profile that is described. Because the soil is
highly susceptible to erosion and is, at best, only moder-
48
SOIL SUHVEY SKHIKS 1959, NO. 17
ately deep over bedrock, it is classilied in (■apahilit y unit
lIIe-10. Tliis means that it may be cultivated re<xidarly,
but only in I'airly lonj; rotations with very careful man-
agement to check erosion. This soil is well suited to
orchards and berry croi)s. There are Ti)4 acres in the
county.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 10
to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded (TaC3). — This soil
has been severely ei-oded and is no longer well suited to
cultivation. An occasional tilled crop can be grown in
rotation with hay or pasture plants, and the soil is suited
to orchards if kept in sod or cover crops. There aiv 5.'}
acres, in capability unit IVe-10.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant,
20 to 30 percent slopes (TaD). — Tliere has been little ero-
sion on this steep soil, sin(;e the areas of it have been
exceptionally well managed or left in forest. The 160
acres could be cultivated occasionally, as long as the
proper management is maintained. Tliis soil is in capa-
bility unit IVe-in.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant,
20 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded (TaE2). — This
soil is steep, and erosion has been active but not severe.
Tlie danger of furtlier loss or damage is so great that the
soil should not be cropped. If pi'0))erly managed, it can
be safely grazed. This soil occui)ies 1 1 1 acres and is in
capability unit VIe-3.
Teas Series
The Teas series consists of somewhat e.\cessi\ ely di'ained
to excessively drained, shallow, skeletal soils that consist
of materials weathered from dark-red to purplish-red
sandstone antl shale that is slightly limy in places. The
Teas soils somewhat resemble the soils of the (^ilviii
series, but they ditl'er chiefly in being tliinner and shal-
lower and somewhat iiiHuenced by lime.
All the Teas soils of this county are in mapping units
that are complexes of Litz and Teas soils. I^itz soils
make np between 50 and 60 percent of the complexes,
and Teas soils the remainder.
Profile of Teas channery silt loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded, in an orchard about one-half
mile south of Ringgold :
Ap 0 to 6 inches: dark reddish-gray (SYR 4 2) channery silt
loam; moderate, fine, crumb structure; slightly hard
when dry, friable when moist, and slightly plastic
and slightly sticky when wet; roots abundant;
coarse material is pinkish to purplish sandstone frag-
ments and some shale; slightly acid; clear, smooth
boundary; horizon is 4 to 6 inches thick.
B) 6 to 11 inches: dark reddish-brown (SYR 3/2) shaly and
very channery silt loam; very weak, fine to medium,
subangular Ijlocky structure; moderately hard when
dry, friable when moist, and slightly plastic and
slightly sticky when wet; roots common; medium acid;
gradual, wavy boundary; horizon is 5 to 10 inches
thick.
C 11 to 20 inches: fairly soft to hard, pinkish and purplish
shale and fine-grained sandstone fragments; infiltrated
with about 10 to 15 percent fine material from the Bo
horizon above; very gradual to diffuse Vjoundary;
horizon is 3 to 12 inches thick.
Dr 20 inches -|- : hard purplish shale and sandstone, in places
weakly calcareous below 30 inches.
Where the Teas soils blend into the Litz soils, the colors
are more brownish than those described.
Terrace Escarpments
Throughout Washington ('ounty, wherever tliere are
alluvial flood plains, there are some narrow and, as a
rule, small areas of steep land made up of alluvium.
These narrow strips are most commonly the sides of
draws or small ravines that have been cut through the
fi(K)d plains from adjacent uplands down to the main
drainageways. In some other places, they are the short,
sharp slopes from one level of a flood plain to another;
for example, between a first bottom and a second bottom
or low terrace. In still other ))laces, they are at the edge
of a flood plain whei'e it adjoins steep or very steep
uplands.
Although most of these areas are small, many of them
ai'e shown on the soil map. They may be made up of
the soils of several .series, including Congaree, Hunt-
ington, Lindside, Philo, Pope, or Warners. Although the
soil materials thus vary considerably, these areas have
one characteristic in comnum — they are all so steep and
so sul)ject to erosion that they require special care and
management if they are cultivated.
Terrace escarpments (Te). — All of the areas just de-
scribed have been included in this one mapping unit.
Because of the danger of erosion, they have been placed
in capability unit IIIe-6. The mapi)ed areas amount to
341 acres. In most areas the slope is between 8 and 25
percent, but 36 acres have slopes greater than 25 percent.
If all areas ai'e treated and managed according to prac-
tices outlined for capability unit lIle-6, they should be
sufficiently protected for practical use in farming.
Thurmont Series
The Thurmont series consists of rather deep, well-
di'ained soils that developed in deposits of colluvial rock
debris. The rock debris contains a mixture of materials,
chiefly greenstone or metabasalt, l)ut it includes some sand-
stone and quartzite. The Thurmont soils occur on
mountain slopes wherever fragmented rock material has
accumidated, notably on foot slopes and on intermediate
benchlike areas. They are in close association witli the
Braddock soils. Some undifferentiated areas of liraddock
and Thurmont soils have been described under the Brad-
dock .series, but soils of the Thurmont series also occur
by themselves.
The Thurmont soils are used for general crops, but
they seem especially desirable for orchards and berry
crops, chiefly because of the good air drainage in their
side-slope positions. Some vegetables, such as tomatoes,
are also grown on these soils.
Profile of Thurmont gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded, in an apple orchard on Edgemont
Road, about one-half mile south of the Pennsylvania State
line :
Ap 0 to 8 inches: grayish-brown (10 YR 5/2) heavy gravelly
loam; moderate, fine, crumb structure; moderately
hard when dry, friable when moist, and slightly plas-
tic and slightly sticky when wet; roots abunciant;
slightly acid; clear, smooth to wavy boundary; horizon
is S to 8 inches thick.
B21 8 to IS inches: light yellowish-brown (lOYR 6/4) gravelly
silt loam; moderate, fine to medium, subangular
blocky structure; moderately hard when dry, rather
friable when moist, and sticky and moderately plas-
WASIIIXCTOX COrXTV. NfAHYLAXI)
49
tic when wot ; roots ahuiuiaiif ; miiiiy fine and iiicdiuMi
and some larn(> pores; inedinni acid; n''ii<li'iil. wavv
bovmdarv; liorizon is (1 to 10 inches illicit.
B22 15 to 31 inciies: iinht yeilowisli-hrown (lOYR 6/41,
gravelly, gritty, heavy silt loam; moderate, fine to
medium, l)locky sinirture; hard wiien dry, frial)le to
(irni wluMi moist, moderately jjl.'istic and moderately
sticky when wet; roots few; tliick, nearly continuous,
self-colored clay skins; medium to strongly acid;
gradual, wavy to irregular boundary; horizon is 12
to 18 inches thick.
Kj 31 to 40 inches: light yellowish-brown (lOYR ()/4),
gravelly, very gritty silt loam; weak, medium, platy
to weak, irregular, l)locky structure; hard when dry,
firm when moist, and sticky and moderately plastic
when wet; roots few; some silt and clay coatings on
aggregate surfaces; strongly acid; clear, irregular
boundary; horizon is 8 to 12 inches thick.
C 40 to 48 inches +: brown (10 YR 5/3), gravelly, ex-
tremely gritty loam; very slightly variegated with
gray and yellow; very weak, medium to coarse,
platy structure; hard when ciry, firm when moist,
and slightly plastic and slightly sticky when wet;
practically no roots; very strongly acid.
Gravel consists mostly of ojreenstone or metabasalt, but
in places there are many fra<;ments of quartzite or sand-
stone. In some places the subsoil is a little more brown
than the one described.
Thurmont gravelly loam, Z to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (ThB2). — Tliis soil lias the profile that is
descril)ed. Erosion has been active, but not very severe.
The 4C() acres are in capal)ility unit IIe-4.
Thurmont gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (ThC2). — Tliis soil occupies -J-ib acres.
It is in capability unit IIIe-4.
Trego Series
The Trego series consists of moderately well drained
soils on gravelly deposits of quartzite, sandstone, and
metabasalt similar to those that were parent material for
the Braddock and the Thurmont soils. The Trego soils
are essentially red, like the Braddock soils, but they have
a thick, platy fragipan in tlie lower siibsoil that retards
drainage somewhat. The Trego soils were named as
gravelly silt loam, but small areas of silt loam and
gravelly loam are present.
These soils are not extensive. They are used for general
crops and for orchards, altliough some ai'eas are in forest.
Profile of Trego gravelly silt loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded, in a young second-growth
forest area along old U.S. Highway No. 40, two-tenths
of a mile west of its intersection with the new U.S. High-
Avay No. 40, in the Mount I^ena community :
Alp 0 to 5 inches: dark-brown (lOY'R 3/3) gravelly silt loam;
moderate, fine, crumb structure; slightly hard when
dry, friable when moist, and slightly plastic and
slightly sticky when wet; roots fairly abundant;
slightly acid; clear, smooth boundary; horizon is
4 to 6 inches thick.
A2 5 to 11 inches: dark yellowish-brown (lOYR 4/4) grav-
elly loam; compoimd, very weak, fine, platy and
moderate, very fine, crumb to granular structure;
slightly hard when dry, friable when moist, and
slightly plastic and slightly sticky when wet; roots
rather plentiful; medium acid; gradual, wavy bound-
ary; horizon is 5 to 10 inches thick.
Bi 11 to 21 inches: reddish-yellow (7.5Y'R 6/8), gravelly,
gritty, heavy loam to light sandy clay loam; a few
faint streaks of yellowish red (5Y'R 5/8) ; compound,
weak, medium, platy and strong, fine to medium,
irregular, blocky Htructurt;; nioth-rateiy harfl to hard
and brittle when dry, moderately firm and brittle
when moist, and moderately plastic and moderafelv
sticky when wet; roots few; many firi(! and merliuni
|)ores; v(;ry strongly acid; gradual, wavy bcjundury;
horizon is 7 to 10 inches thick.
Ho|,n 21 to 2!) inches: yeliowish-rcfi (5YR 5/8), gravelly, verv
gritty sandy clay loam; ratlKir strongly streaked
with reddish yellow (7. SYR 6/8); coinpound, moder-
ate to strong, medium, platy and very irr<;gular,
blocky structure; hard and brittle when dry, firm
and brittk^ when moist, and plastic and sticky
when wet; practically no roots; vc^ry strongly acid;
gradual to clear, wavy to irregular boundary; hori-
zon is 6 to 12 inches thick.
B22m 29 to 36 inches: rcnl (2.5YR 4/8), gravelly, gritty, sandy
clay loam; moderately streaked horizontally with
yellowish brown and strong brown (lOYR .5/6 and
7.5YR 5/6); compound, strong, medium, jilaty and
strong, fine, irregular, l;locky structure; very hard
but brittle when dry, firm to very firm but Ijrittle
when moist, and plastic and sticky when wvA; no
roots; very strongly acid; clear to abrupt, wavy to
broken boundary; horizon is 0 to 12 inches thick,
being absent in some places.
C 36 to 48 inches +: pale-yellow (2.5YR 7,4) gravelly
very fine sandy clay loam; a few horizontal streaks
of reddish brown (5YR 5 4); weak, very coarse,
platy structure; hard to very hard but brittle when
dry, very firm but brittle when moist, and plastic
but only slightly sticky when wet; no roots; very
strongly to e.xtremely acid.
The surface layer in some places is moie reddish than
the one described, and the subsoil is somewhat more
yellowish. The tliickness of all horizons and the grade
of their structure are variable. The lower subsoil, or
Boom horizon, in many places is discontinuous. It is
present in some places but absent in others. The Trego
soils blend more or less gradually with the nonplaty
Braddock and Tliurmont soils.
Trego gravelly silt loam, 0 to .3 percent slopes (TrA). —
These more or less level areas of the Trego soils, even
though they are moderately well drained, tend to l^e wet
at times because of their slow permeability. This wetness
is more of a problem than erosion on the more level areas.
The soil is, therefore, in capability unit IIw-1 : there are
89 acres.
Trego gravelly silt loam, 3 to 1.5 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded (TrC2). — This soil has the profile that is
described for the series. On these sloj^es there has been
active erosion, and the erosion hazard is more critical
than the drainage problem. The 252 acres are in capa-
bility unit IIIe-13.
Tyler Series
Tlie Tyler series consists of poorly drained soils on
old alluvial terraces that consist of materials washed
originally from areas of soils on sandstone and shale.
The Tyler soils occur on fairly smooth river and stream
terraces in the western part of tlie comity. On tliese same
terraces are the moderately well drained Monongahela
soils and the well drained, brown Holston and red
Waynesboro soils. The fine-textured parent materials of
the Tyler soils were deposited in quiet water or in slack
water, and the soils have a very fine textured subsoil.
Tyler soils are very difficult to cultivate or plow when
either slightly too wet or slightly too dry. However, most
areas are used for late corn, but some are in pastui'e.
ol)
SOIL SURVKY SKHIKS IQSO, NO. 17
Profile of Tyler silt loam, in a once cultivated hut
now idle area, 1% miles east of Orchard Kidge Koad,
on a terrace of Licking; Creek :
A I, 0 to 5 inches: dark grayisli-hrovvn (2.5Y 4/2) silt loam;
strong, fine, flatteiu'd, crumb or very fine, platy
structure; moderately hard when dry, friable when
moist, and inoderalely plastic' and moderately sticky
when wet; roots fairly abundant; very strongly to
extremely acid; clear, smooth boundary; horizon is
5 to () inches thick.
B.g 5 to 12 inches: pale-olive (5Y ()/3) fine silty clay loam;
about 50 percent fine to medium, distinct mottles of
grayish l)rown (2.5Y 5/2) ; compound, moderate,
medium, platy and weak, fine, sul)angular blocky
structure; hard when dry, somewhat firm and t)rittle
when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; few
roots; very strongly to extremely acid; clear, smooth
boundary; horizon is 6 to 10 inclies thick.
12 to 25 inches: olive-gray (5Y 5/2) fine clay loam; about
50 percent medium to coarse, prominent mottles of
yellowish l)rown (lOYR 5/8); compound, moderate,
medium, platy and moderate, fine, blocky structure;
very hard when dry, firm and brittle when moist, and
plastic and sticky when wet; very few roots; extremely
acid; clear, smooth boundary; horizon is 12 to 15
inches thick.
C„ 25 to 42 inclies h : dark-gray (N 4/0, with a bluish cast)
clay; 20 to 30 percent coarse, prominent mottles of
yellowish brown (lOYR 5/0); compound, very weak,
coarse, platy and weak, medium, l)locky structure;
very hard when dry, firm but not brittle when moist,
and sticky and plastic when wet; no visible roots
or pores; extremely acid; several feet thick.
In some places the surface layer is more hrownish than
the one in the profile described, and the lo^ver horizons
are somewhat less line textured and plastic.
Tyler silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes (TyB). — This is
the only Tyler soil in the county. Because poor drainajje
and wetness are greater hindrances to use than the hazard
of erosion, it is in capability unit IIIw-1. The area is
127 acres.
Warners Series
The Warners series consists of deep, dark-colored, very
limy soils of the flood plains. The soils are made up of
fine materials washed from areas of limestone rocks, and
they are ])()orly drained to moderately well drained. The
soils contain rather large accumulations of organic mat-
ter. The ai'eas occupied by Warners soils were probably
once swampy or ponded, but they have been filled in by
deposits of soil imtil the surface is now well above the
water level. On the same flood plains are soils of the
Lindside, Melvin, and Dunning series, and, on some, soils
of the Huntington series.
The Warners soils are moderately fertile and produc-
tive, but, because of their strong alkalinity, they may
lack certain minor plant food elements, such as manganese,
that are necessarj' for strong and healthy crops. The
substrata of these soils are sometimes removed and used
as sources of lime, leaving borrow pits or barren areas.
The Warners soils are used for hay, pasture, and corn,
and, to a lesser extent, for other crops.
Profile of Warners loam, in a cultivated flood plain of
West Branch of Marsh Run, about 100 yards north of
State Road No. 60, in the Longmeadow community :
Alp 0 to 8 inches: dark grayish-brown (lOYR 4/2) loam;
strong, medium, granular structure; moderately hard
when dry, friable when moist, and sticky and mod-
erately plastic when wet; roots abundant; numerous
worm channels; moderately alkaline and slightly
calcareous; gradual, smooth boundary; horizon is 7
to 10 inclies thick.
Ai2 8 to 38 inches: dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 4/2) loam; mod-
erate, medium, granular structure;; moderately hard
to hard when dry, friable to somewhat firm when
moist, and sticky and moderately plastic when wet;
roots ])lentiful in upper part; many fine and medium
I)ores and some worm cliannels; moderately alkaline
and calcareous; clear to abrupt, wavy boundary;
horizon is 24 to 36 inches thick.
Cig 38 to 48 inches: pale-brown (lOYR 0/3), shelly and fine,
gravelly marl of varial)le texture but mostly clay
loam; about 20 j)ercent medium, distinct mottles of
light gray (2.5Y 7/2); weak, medium, stratified struc-
ture; hard to very hard when dry, firm when moist,
and very plastic and very sticky when wet; a few
roots in upper part; mottling disappears on drying;
moderately to strongly alkaline and strongly cal-
careous; clear to abrupt, wavy boundary; horizon is
f) to 12 inches thick.
Cjg 48 to 00 inches +: pale-brown (lOYR 6/3) fine gravelly
silty clay to clay; alxjut 20 percent coarse, distinct
mottles of dark brown (lOYR 4/4); massive; hard
when dry, firm when moist, and plastic and sticky
when wet; no roots; less calcareous than C|g horizon,
containing few, if any, shells; moderately to strongly
alkaline.
T'ndisturbed areas have a darker .siiiface layer, and
some cultivated areas have a lighter colored surface layer
than tiie one de.sci'ibed. Shells, mostly of fresh- water
snails, are found within 2-1 inches of the surface, and, in
some place.s, as clo.se as 4 inches below the surface. There
is .some variation in drainage, and some wet areius could
not be shown on the map.
Warners loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes (Wo). — This soil
has the profile that is described. Because it is sometimes
wet, and is subject to possible flooding, it is placed in
capability unit IIw-7. There are 1,646 acres. A few
areas may have frequent floods.
Waynesboro Series
The Waynesboro series consists of deep, well-drained,
red soils on river terraces. The Waynesboro soils have
been developed in very old alluvial deposits of materials
that were washed originally from areas of acid rocks,
mosth' sandstone. In Washington County they are almost
exclusively on high terraces of the Potomac River, where
they are present along with soils of the Holston and
Monongahela series.
Although the Waynesboro soils are very strongly acid
or extremely acid, they are fairly productive if limed and
properly managed. Large areas of AVaynesboro soils are
used for general crops and pasture, and some areas are
in orchards.
Profile of Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes, in a forested area just off State Road No. 56,
about 50 yards west of the entrance of Fort Frederick
State Park:
Ai 0 to 3 inches: black (5YR 2/1) gravelly loam; weak to
moderate, fine, granular structure; very slightly hard
when dry, very friable when moist, and slightly plas-
tic and slightly sticky when wet; roots abundant;
very strongly acid; abrupt, wavy boundary; horizon
is 2 to 4 inches thick.
.^2 3 to 8 inches: brown (lOYR 5/3) gravelly loam; weak to
moderate, fine, crumb structure; slightly hard when
dry, friable when moist, and slightly plastic and
WA.SHIN(iT{)N COUNTY, MARYLAND
slif?htly .sticky when wet ; roots rattu-r plentiful; inaiiy
fine and iiuidiiun and some larRC pores; very strongly
aeid; clear, wavv boundary; horizon is 4 to (1 inches
thick.
B21 8 to 14 inches: reddish-yellow (5YR ('1/8), gravelly, heavy
silt loam; moderate, medium, subaiigular blocky
slructAire; moderately iiard when dry, friable to firm
when moi.st, and plastic and sticky when wet; roots
few; many fine and medium pores; extremely acid;
gradual, wavv boundary; horizon is (> to 9 inches
thick.
B22 14 to 35 inches: red Ci.SVR 5/8) gravelly silty clay loam
or gravelly clay loam; very slightly variegated with
liglUer red in lower ]):\r{ ; strong to very strong,
m(>dium, blocky structure; \ er\' hard when dry, firm
when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; very
few roots; many fine and medium pores; self-colored,
contiinious clay skins in pores and on aggregate sur-
faces: e\t icnielN- acid; clear, wavy boundary; horizon
is 18 to :W incliVs thick.
C 35 to 42 inclies 1 : red (2.5YR 4/8) very gravelly sandy
clay loam; stratified; moderately hard when dry, fri-
able to firm when moist, and slightly i^lastic and
slightly sticky when wet; no roots: moderately to
moderately rapidly permeable; extremely acid.
Some spots are somewhat less gravelly than the soil
described, iuid in some places tlie surface layer is sonle^vll!lt
more silty. In some places the soil is not so intensely
red in the lower subsoil and substratum, but it is some-
what more yellowish or brownish. The yellow or brown
color is most common where the Waynesboro soils grade
to Holston soils.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
(WbA). — This soil has the profile that is described for the
series. Because it is well drained, of good texture, and
nearly level, it has no particidar limitation for cultivated
crops. Proper fertilizing and liming, along with general
good management, are necessary for good yields of crops.
The 166 acres are in capability unit I^.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (WbB2). — Because of the danger of
erosion, this soil is in capability unit IIe-4. There are
2,387 acres.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (WbC2). — On these slopes, practices
and management to control erosion are needed. Long
rotations should be used and contour tillage and other
methods of erosion control carried out. The 1,490 acres
are in capability unit Ille^.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded (WbC3). — Intense good management is
needed on this soil to prevent further erosion. The soil
occupies 475 acres and is in capability unit IIIe-44.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (WbD2). — This soil is steep enough so
that there is great danger of erosion. It is in capability
unit IVe-3. There are 236 acres.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
severely eroded (WbD3). — On this soil, erosion has been
severe. If the soil is carefully protected, it makes good
hay land, permanent pasture, or orchards. The 322 acres
are in capability unit VIe-2.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (WbE2). — This soil is too steep for
safe cultivation. It can be grazed, however, if well sodded
and managed. There are 98 acres, in capability unit VIe-2.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes (WgB). — This soil has a profile like the one de-
scribed for (he series, except that it is mon; sandy
throughout, especially in the surface layer. Drouglit iness,
because of the sand, is a more important managenuint
problem than the danger of erosion. For this reason,
the 125 acres are in capability unit Ils-2.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (WgC2). — Danger dI' erosion
is more critical on this soil tlian the sandiness, but the
sand also allects the nianagemcnl . Tlierc arc 628 aci-es,
in capability unit lIIe-5.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, severely eroded (WgC3). — The soil can be culti-
vated, but only occasionally and with special manage-
ment. The 103 acres are in capability unit IVe-5.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (WgD2). — The threat of ero-
sion is great enough on this steep soil so that the soil
is in capability unit IVe-5. There are 137 acres.
Wehadkee Series
The Wehadkee series consists of poorly drained, very
acid soils of flood plains. The Wehadkee soils consist of
fine materials that were washed originally from areas
of soils on crystalline rocks. Most areas of Wehadkee
soils in Washington County are in the southern part, on
both sides of Elk Ridge. On the same bottom-land areas
are the moderately well drained Chewacla soils and the
well drained Congaree soils. Because they generally
occur in narrow strips along smaller streams, many
ai'eas of Wehadkee soils have not been cleared. Some
areas are used for corn, pasture, or natural meadow.
These soils are poorly drained and are very wet for long
periods because of both impermeable substrata and a high
water table. They are not extensive and are of little
importance in agriculture.
Profile of Wehadkee silt loam, in a willow and alder
thicket on the flood plain of Israel Creek, about 1 mile
northwest of Gapland:
All 0 to 5 inches: dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 4/2) silt loam;
weak, medium, crumb structure; hard when dry, fri-
able to firm when moist, and slightly jjlastic and
slightly sticky when wet; roots plentiful; strongly
acid; clear, smooth boundary; horizon is 5 to 6 inches
thick.
A, 2 5 to 12 inches: dark yellowish-brown (lOYR 4/4) silt
loam; about 10 percent medium, faint specks of gray;
weak, fine to medium, platy structure; very hard
when dry, moderately firm and slightly brittle when
moist, and moderately plastic and slightly sticky
when wet; roots fairly plentiful; very strongly acid;
clear to abrupt, smooth boundary; horizon is 6 to 8
inches thick.
B, g 12 to 28 inches: light olive-brown (2.5Y 5/4), light silty
clay loam; about 30 percent fine and medium, dis-
tinct mottles of strong brown (7.5YR 5 6) and of
bluish gray; moderate, medium to coarse platy
structure; very hard when dry, firm and rather brit-
tle when moist, and plastic and sticky when wet; few
roots; slowly permeable; very strongly acid; abrupt,
wavy to irregular boundary; horizon is 12 to 30
inches tliick.
Dg 28 to 36 inches + : variegated dark olive-gray (5Y' 4/2)
and bluish-green fine sandy clay: 5 to 10 percent
fine, reddish-brown specks, and reddish-brown linings
in the few old root channels: massive; very hard to
extremely hard when dry, firm when moist, and sticky
and very plastic when wet; very slowly permeable to
extremely slowly permeable, bluish-green color fades
completely to gray on drying; strongly acid.
52
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
The bluisli-fjreen color is not present everywliere in
the substraluni. Locall}', there may he an overwasli of
very new material, some of it very thin, and most of it
sandy-
Wehadkee silt loam (Wh). — This is the only Wehadkee
soil mapped in the county. It is subject to occasional
lloodin<>-, but, if the (h'aina<i'e is improved, fairly <jo()d
yields of corn, hay, or past\ire can be obtained. The bS."!
acres are in capability unit IIIw 1. A few areas ai'e
Hooded frecjuently and should bi' maintained in pei inaneni
<xrass or woodland.
Westmoreland Series
Tlu^ West nioreland series consists of (Un^p, well-di-ained
soils developed in materials weathered from mixtures
of acid ami limy shale, with occasional inclusions of
sandstone and hard, <rray limestone. These materials
•generally occur in altei'nate bands across soil areas,
with the shale, as a rule, in wide bands and the sandstone
or limestone in fairly narrow bands. The Westmoreland
soils are, therefore, somewhat vai'iable in characteristics,
particulai-ly in the lower subsoil and the substratum.
These soils are on nearly level to sti'on<;ly sloping rid<res
in the western part of the county, <>:enerally alon<j!' with
soils of the Lit/ series.
The "Westmoreland soils are not vei-y extensive. They
are very good agricultural soils and are used for nearly
all crops, including orchards.
Profile of Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 10
percent slopes, modei-ately eroded, in a forest just north
of Tonoloway Creek Koad, about 2 miles northwest of
Hancock :
A] 0 to 2 inches: black (lOYR 2'1), lislit cliannery silt loam:
moderate, fine, crumb structure; soft when dry, very
friable when moist, and nonplastic and nonsticky wiien
wet; roots abundant; slightly acid; abrupt, wavy
boundary; horizon is 2 to 3 inches thick.
A2 2 to (1 inches: sjrayisli-ljrown (lOYR 5/2), light channery
silt loam; moderate, fine, granular structure; sliglitly
hard when dry, very friable when moist, and slightly
plastic and slishtly sticky when w(>t ; roots plentifuj;
medium acid; cle:ir, wavy Ijoundary; horizon is 3 to 5
inches tliick.
Bi G to 14 inches: brown (lOYR 4/3), heavy channery silt
loam; moderate, fine, blocky and subangular blocky
structure; moderately hard when dry, friable or some-
what firm when moist, and moderately plastic and
moderately sticky when wet; roots fairly plentiful;
many fine and medium pores; medium acid; gradual,
wavv boundarv; horizon is 6 to 9 inches thick.
Bi 14 to 32 inches: brown (7.5YR 5/4), shaly silty clay loam;
moderate to strong, fine and medium, blocky and sub-
angular blocky structure; moderately hard to hard
when dry, friable to firm when moist, and plastic
and sticky when wet; roots few; many fine and medi-
um pores; thin, almost continuous, self-cclored clay
skins; medium to strongly acid; clear, wavy boundary;
horizon is 12 to 20 inches thick.
C 32 to 42 inches: strong-brown (7.5Y'R 5/6), very shaly
loam or light silt loam; very weak, fine, blocky struc-
ture; moderately hard when dry, friable when moist,
and slightly plastic and slightly sticky when wet; a
few roots in upper part; about 40 percent shale;
slightly to medium acid; gradual, irregular boundary;
horizon is 6 to 15 inches thick.
Dr 42 inches -|- : hard, slightly calcareous, brown shale.
Ill some places the surface layer contains few coarse
fragments. In places where there is an underlying band
of red sandstone, the subsoil and subsfratinn are more
reddish than tiiose described. The Westmoreland soils
geiu'rally grade to suiiounding soils without sharp
boiuularies.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (WmB2). — This soil has the
pi'olile dcsci ibed. Tlieiv is a hazard of erosion, and, be-
cause of it, the soil is ])hifed in capability unit lIe-1.
There are .'51 1 acres.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (WmC2). — Theie is a strong
threat of erosion on this soil, and it is placed in capa-
bility unit lTTe-1. There are 203 acres.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 20 percent
slopes, severely eroded (WmC3). — Ki'osion has damaged
this soil so that it must be very carefully managed and
])i-otected if cidtivation is to continue safely. A good
use woidd l)e for sodded orcliards. The 27>^ acres are in
capability iniit IVe-1.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded (WmD2). — The sloi)e of this soil
is strong enougli to cause severe risk of erosion if it is
cultivated. Tlie 82 acres are in capability unit IVe-1.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, severely eroded (WmD3). — Erosion has been severe
enough on this soil to make further cultivation im-
practicable. A better use woidd be permanent .sod for
pasture, or occasional hay crops. There are 100 acres, in
capability imit VIe-1.
Estimated Yields
The soils of Washington County vary considerably in
])roduct ivity. Some of them consistently ])roduce high
yields of the cidtivated crops, and others are better suited
to less intensive uses.
Table 5 shows, for the soils suitable for crops or pasture,
tlie average estimated yields of specified crops under
present management and imder the improved manage-
ment that is suggested for the different capability units in
the next section of tliis report. These yields are averages
for a normal 5-year period. In any given crop year, the
yield of any crop nniy be more or less than the figure
shown.
These estimates are based on information obtained from
agricultural workers in the county and at the Maryland
Agricultural Experiment Station, and from observations
by farmers in the county.
The yields under improved management are not pre-
sumed "to be the maximum obtainable. Yields from the
same soils vai-y, depending on variations in management,
weather, crop varieties, and diseases and insect pests.
Improved management includes some or many of these
management practices :
1. Necessary conservation measures, which may in-
clude contour tillage, stripcropping, terracing, or contour
furrowing; drainage; water control on both drained and
undi-ained soils, especially disposal of excess water; and
irrigation where needed and feasible.
2. Selection of varieties of crops suitable to the soil
and the county.
WASHINCTON COUNTY, MAHYLAND
53
8. Kot at ions of MdcMiualc l(Mi<itli, <;('iHM-all y iiicliKliii*^
the l'ollo\viii«i- : A tilled cioi) to coiUrol weeds; a deep-
rooted crop to improve peniieahilitv ; one or more crops
of le<;nmes to maintain or ini[)rove fertility; and a close-
f;r()\vin<>: crop or green-manure crop to improve structure
and tilth, supply or<ianic matter, and control erosion.
4. Return of manure and ci'op residues to the soil to
supply nitroj^en and other nutiMents and to improve the
physical characteristics of the soil.
5. Api)licat ion of fertilizer- and lime as indieated hy
soil tests. The county a<feiil"s oflice can he consulted
ahout soil-test in<^ services.
(■). Suitahle methods of plowing, preparing the seed-
bed, and cultivating.
7. Planting, cultivating, and harvesting at the ftroper
time aiul in the proper way.
s. Control of weeds, diseases, and in.sects.
54
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Taisle 5. — Estimated average acre yields of specified crops under
[Iti foluiniis A lire yields under present management ; in columns B are yields under improved management. Where
Soil
Corn
Wheat
Barley
Asliton fin(> sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes
Atkins silt loam
Ben(>vola clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Benevola clay loam, '.i to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent sloj^es, severely eroded
Berks ch;iniiery loam, I'idges, 0 to 10 j^ercent slopes, moderately eroded
l^erks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slojjes, severely eroded
Berks channery loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Bei ks shaly silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
Berks shaly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Berks shalv silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Berks shaly silt loam, 15 to 25 jx'rcent slopes, moderately eroded
I^erks silt loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
lierks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slojies, moderately eroded
Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded
Berks silt loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes
Brinkerton silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes _
Buchanan gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Buchanan gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Buchanan gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Buchanan gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin channery fine sandy loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded^,
C'alvin channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes
Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded l.
Calvin channery loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes
Calvin shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded ^_
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded
Calvin shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes
Calvin shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes
Calvin-Berks chaimery loams, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin-Berks chaimery loams, 3 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin-Mont evallo shaly loams, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin-Mont evallo shaly loams, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded. _
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded-
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes
Chewacla gravelly sandy loam
Chewacla silt loam
Chewacla stony silt loam
Congaree silt loam and gravelh- loam
Corydon clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Corydon clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Corydon clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Corydon extremely rocky clay loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes
Corydon very rocky clay loam, 3 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Duffield silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Duffield silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
Duffield silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Duffield very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes
Duffield very rocky silt loam, 8 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
See footnotes at end at table.
Bu.
65
35
65
60
50
30
30
25
15
15
35
30
25
18
30
25
15
18
35
30
20
40
40
35
30
20
30
30
25
20
18
Bti.
90
60
90
85
70
45
45
35
25
25
60
50
40
28
50
40
25
30
60
55
35
60
60
55
45
30
50
50
40
35
25
Bu.
20
Bu.
40
40
35
30
20
15
12
10
10
18
15
15
12
15
15
10
12
20
15
12
60
55
40
30
25
20
15
15
25
22
22
17
22
22
15
20
28
25
18
20
18
15
12
20
20
15
12
10
30
25
20
18
30
30
25
20
15
25
20
15
15
40
35
22
22
15
12
10
10
20
20
15
15
30
25
18
18
25
20
15
30
25
20
35
45
60
55
50
40
70
65
55
30
40
55
45
50
40
25
25
40
35
22
45
40
30
20
15
10
10
15
12
10
17
15
12
30
25
15
15
20
20
15
25
22
20
65
75
90
95
85
75
30
25
22
50
45
35
100
95
85
55
65
40
35
30
20
25
60
50
45
30
35
85
75
30
25
45
35
Bu.
30
50
45
40
25
25
20
15
15
30
25
20
17
25
20
15
18
30
25
18
30
28
25
20
25
25
20
15
15
20
20
15
15
25
20
15
15
20
20
15
25
22
20
40
35
32
55
45
40
25
30
40
30
Bu.
50
75
65
60
35
40
30
20
20
40
35
30
25
35
30
20
25
45
40
30
40
40
35
28
35
35
30
25
20
32
30
20
20
35
30
20
20
32
30
20
35
32
30
60
55
50
80
70
60
40
45
60
50
WASmN(iT().\ roUNTY, MAHYI>A.\I) 55
tiro Ii n Is of iiKt iut(j< iiK lit on llii soils siiitoh/i for rro])s or jxisture
yields are liol f: i \ cii , ril licr 1 lie snil is ikiI >iul ;i I ilc f( n I I ci np ( ii I Iktc is no infc ii iikiI ic )ii on u liich 1 o .-in est itnat <•]
Oiits
Alfalfa
('lo\ (T and
Apples
Peaches
Prunes and
(-'h('rri<!H '
Pasture (cow-
mixed hay
phims
acre-days) '
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
Bu.
Bu.
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Lb.
35
60
2. 8
5. 2
1. 7
3. 0
100
175
1. 2
2. 0
70
100
50
70
3. 6
5. 6
2. 5
3. 3
190
40
60
3. 2
4. 6
2. 4
3. 2
1 10
175
35
55
3. 0
4. 2
2. 0
3. 0
l-'O
150
25
35
2. 0
1. 8
2. 6
1. 2
1. 8
95
120
25
40
2. 4
1. 2
1. 6
120
180
90
135
105
150
60
90
60
95
15
25
1. 4
2. 2
1. 0
1. 4
100
150
75
115
90
135
50
75
50
85
15
20
1. 2
1. 8
. 6
1. 0
70
100
55
75
65
90
35
50
40
60
15
20
1. 2
1. 8
. 6
1. 0
70
100
55
75
65
90
35
50
40
60
25
40
2. 0
2. 6
1. 2
1. 7
130
190
95
140
110
160
65
95
70
100
25
35
1. 8
2. 6
1. 1
1. 7
120
180
90
135
105
150
()0
90
65
95
20
30
1. 8
2. 6
1. 1
1. 5
110
170
85
125
95
140
55
85
60
90
17
25
1. 4
2. 0
. 8
1. 3
90
140
70
100
80
115
45
70
45
75
25
35
1. 8
2. 6
1. 1
1. 7
120
180
90
135
105
150
60
90
65
95
20
30
1. 6
2. 4
1. 0
1. 4
100
150
75
110
80
115
50
80
55
85
15
20
1. 2
1. 8
. 6
1. 0
70
100
55
75
65
90
35
50
40
60
18
25
1. 4
2. 0
. 7
1. 1
80
110
60
85
70
95
40
55
45
75
30
45
2. 2
3. 6
1. 4
2. 3
150
200
110
150
130
175
75
100
80
110
25
40
2. 0
2. 8
1. 2
2. 0
120
170
90
125
105
145
60
85
60
90
15
25
1. 4
2. 4
. 8
1. 4
90
140
65
100
75
115
45
70
40
70
1. 2
2. 0
70
100
1. 4
2. 2
85
110
1. 3
2. 0
75
105
1. 1
1. 6
65
90
. 9
1. 3
55
80
25
35
2. 0
2. 8
1. 3
2. 0
150
200
110
150
130
175
75
100
70
100
25
35
2. 0
2. 8
1. 3
2. 0
125
175
95
135
110
155
65
90
60
90
15
25
1. 5
2. 3
1. 0
1. 5
100
150
75
115
90
135
50
75
50
80
15
22
1. 2
2. 0
. 7
1. 1
80
120
60
90
70
105
40
60
45
70
15
20
1.0
1. 8
. 6
1. 0
70
100
55
80
65
90
35
50
40
60
35
60
18
30
1. 6
2. 4
1. 1
1. 5
110
160
80
120
95
140
55
80
60
85
15
25
1. 4
2. 2
1. 0
1. 4
100
150
75
115
90
135
50
75
50
80
15
20
1. 2
1. 8
. 6
1. 0
70
100
55
80
65
90
35
50
40
60
15
20
1. 2
1. 8
. 6
1. 0
70
100
55
80
65
90
35
50
40
60
35
60
25
35
2. 0
2. 8
1. 3
2. 0
125
175
95
135
110
155
65
90
60
90
15
25
1. 5
2. 3
1. 0
1. 5
100
150
75
115
90
135
50
75
50
80
15
20
1. 0
1. 8
. 6
1. 0
70
100
55
80
65
90
35
50
40
60
15
20
1. 0
1. 8
. 6
1. 0
70
100
55
80
65
90
35
50
40
60
18
30
1. 6
2. 4
1. 1
1. 5
110
160
80
120
95
140
55
80
60
85
15
25
1. 4
2. 2
1. 0
1. 4
100
150
75
115
90
135
50
75
50
80
15
20
1. 2
1. 8
. 6
1. 0
70
100
55
80
65
90
35
50
40
60
25
35
2. 0
2. 6
1. 1
1. 7
120
170
90
125
105
150
60
85
60
90
20
30
1. 6
2. 4
1. 0
1. 6
110
160
85
120
95
140
55
80
55
80
18
25
1. 4
2. 2
. 9
1. 5
100
150
75
115
90
135
50
75
45
70
40
60
75
110
100
150
85
130
2. 0
2. 6
150
IOC
loo
40
55
2. 8
4. 4
2. 0
2. 7
120
150
35
50
2. 6
3. 8
1. 9
2. 6
110
140
30
45
2. 4
3. 4
1. 6
2. 4
95
120
50
85
75
110
60
80
3. 6
5. 6
2. 6
3. 4
150
190
45
70
3. 2
4. 6
2. 3
3. 2
140
175
40
60
3. 0
4. 2
2. 2
3. 0
120
150
25
40
2. 2
3. 0
1. 5
2. 3
80
120
30
45
2. 6
3. 6
1. 7
2. 5
100
135
100
140
85
125
40
60
3. 0
4. 4
2. 2
3. 0
180
260
135
195
155
225
90
130
110
150
30
50
2. 4
3. 6
1. 8
2. 4
140
210
105
155
125
180
70
105
90
120
56
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Taulk 5. — Estimated avera(je acre yields of .specified crops under ivx)
[In columns A are yields under present numageinent; in columns B are yields under improved management. Where
Soil
Corn
Wheat
linrl.-y
Dunniny; and Mcl\'iii silty clay loams
Edgeinont and ]>ai(ilK channcry loams, 0 to 12 percent slopes
Edgcmont and Laidig channcry loams, 5 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Edgemont aiifl Laidig channcry loams, 20 to 3.5 jjerccnt slopes, moderately eroded
Edgcmont and Laidig channcry loams, ;j5 to (iO percent slojx's, moderately eroded
Edgcmont and Laidig very stony loams, 0 to 5 percent slopes
Eflgcinont and Laidig very stony loams, ■'j to H.'j j:crccnt slojjes
EUibcr ch(>rty loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, modcratt'ly eroded
Elliber cherty loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Elliber cherty loam, 25 to 45 [XTCent sloi)es, moderately eroded
Etowah gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
Etowah gravelly loam, H to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Etowah gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Etowah gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
P^towah silt loam, 0 to ;5 percent slopes
Etowah silt loam, ;i to 8 ])ercent slojx's, moderately eroded
P^.towah silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Fau(|uicr chaiinery loam. 0 to 5 percent slopes
Fauciiiier chann(>ry loam, 5 to 10 percent slojies, moderately eroded
Fauiiuicr channcry loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Fauiiuicr channcry loam, 20 to .^5 percent slopes, moderately eroded
P'auciuicr silt loam, 0 to :? i)crccnt slopes
Fau(|uier silt loam, 3 to II) percent slopes, moderately eroded
Fau(|uicr silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slojx's, moderately eroded
Fauiiuicr silt loam, shallow, W to 20 jx-rccnt slopes, moderately eroded
Fau(iuicr very stony loam, 5 to 35 percent slojx's
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, mod(>rately eroded
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 15 to 45 pcrc<>nt slopes, moderately eroded
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams. 0 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded..
Frankstown and Duffield chaiuicry silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded,
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
P'rankstown and Duffield channery siit loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded -
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Frederick cherty silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Frederick cherty silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
Frederick cherty silt loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Hagerstown clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown very rocky silt loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown, Corydon, and Duffield very rocky silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Hagerstown and Duffield silt loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hazel channery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hazel channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Bu.
45
35
30
25
Bu.
80
50
45
35
Bu.
Bu.
17
15
12
25
22
18
40
35
25
65
55
45
35
65
55
45
60
50
40
30
60
50
40
22
65
55
40
90
80
70
60
90
80
70
80
70
60
50
80
70
60
35
25
20
12
40
35
25
20
40
35
25
30
25
20
17
30
25
20
15
35
30
18
55
50
40
35
55
50
40
40
35
30
25
40
35
30
20
65
60
45
50
35
35
95
90
70
75
55
60
40
35
25
30
18
20
50
45
35
40
25
30
50
40
30
35
75
65
50
55
30
25
18
20
45
35
25
30
65
60
45
55
35
40
95
90
70
80
55
65
40
35
25
25
20
20
60
55
35
40
25
30
70
65
55
40
70
65
55
40
100
95
85
65
100
95
85
65
40
35
25
20
40
35
25
20
60
55
40
30
60
55
40
30
20
15
30
25
15
10
20
15
Bu.
30
25
20
35
30
20
50
40
35
30
50
40
35
40
35
30
25
40
35
30
20
55
45
35
40
25
30
40
35
25
30
50
45
35
40
25
30
50
45
40
30
50
45
40
30
17
15
Bu.
40
35
30
50
40
30
70
60
55
45
70
60
55
60
50
45
35
60
50
45
30
75
65
50
60
40
45
60
50
35
40
75
65
50
60
40
45
75
65
60
45
75
65
60
45
23
20
See footnotes at end of table.
WASI TON" COUNTY, MAHVLAM)
57
levels of nil lit oil tli( soils sii'itdhh for crops or pasture- ( 'oiil iiiiicd
yields iire not given, eiLlior the soil is not suitable for that crop or there is no information on wliicli to base an cHtimate]
Ouls
Alf.i
ll'a
( 'lovor and
A nplos
Peaches
I'ruiK^s and
Cherries '
mixed hay
plums
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
Bu.
Bit.
Tons
Tons
Tons
1. 5
Tons
2. 8
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Lb.
I.b.
oU
- -
40
^ 9
1 Q
1. 0
u
1 OA
A C
yo
160
I iU
IKK
loo
£1 K
yu
25
35
9 S
1 *>
120
170
90
125
lUo
1 KA
loU
60
85
30
1 A
9 4.
. 9
1. 4
yu
1 .1 A
141)
*7A
1 A C
1U5
85
130
45
7U
o c
6b
50
2. 4
3. 6
1. 9
2. 5
1 CA
0 4 A
z4U
1 1 A
1 10
1 OA
130
210
---
/5
t OA
IzU
40
1. o
0. u
J. 4
0 9
2UU
A e
ys
1 CA
15(J
115
1 T K
1 / 0
65
1 AA
lUU
20
30
1. U
1. 0
100
150
75
110
00
1 QA
loU
50
75
50
70
Q 9
2. 3
3. 0
4U
60
3. 0
4. 0
2. 0
2. 9
1 OA
loU
OCA
zoU
135
1 A C
195
160
230
AA
90
1 OA
loU
35
55
9 8
0. 0
1. 8
2. 6
140
240
105
180
120
210
70
120
30
45
9 9
^ 9
1. 4
2. 1
110
190
80
140
95
165
55
95
50
70
3. 2
4. 6
2. 3
3. 0
40
60
3. 0
4. 0
2. 0
2. 9
180
260
135
195
160
230
90
130
35
55
2. 8
3. 8
1. 8
2. 6
140
240
105
180
120
210
70
120
40
60
3. 6
4. 6
2. 2
3. 0
35
55
3. 2
4. 0
1. 9
2. 7
180
260
135
195
160
230
90
130
30
50
3. 0
4. 0
1. 8
2. 4
140
240
105
180
125
200
70
120
25
35
2. 6
3. 6
1. 6
2. 1
110
190
80
145
95
165
55
95
40
60
3. 6
4. 6
2. 2
3. 0
35
50
3. 2
4. 0
1 A
1. y
0 T
^. /
180
260
135
195
1 AA
loU
OQ A
90
130
30
50
3. 0
4. 0
1 Q
1. 0
Z. 4
140
240
105
180
1 OK
Izo
OAA
ZUU
70
120
OA
30
1 '3
1. 0
1 0
1 AA
lUU
1 7A
'7 c
to
1 OA
IzU
00
14U
C A
60
0 c
50
70
^ A
O. 4:
Pi J.
2. 4
3. 2
40
60
3. 2
4. 6
2. 3
3. 0
30
50
2. 6
3. 8
1. 8
2. 6
2. 8
35
55
3. 0
4. 2
2. 0
25
40
2. 0
2. 8
1. 4
2. 2
30
45
2. 4
3. 2
1. 6
2. 4
40
60
3. 0
4. 4
2. 2
3. 0
180
260
135
195
155
230
90
130
35
50
2. 4
3. 6
1. 9
2. 5
150
240
105
180
125
210
75
120
25
35
1. 4
2. 4
1. 2
2. 0
110
180
80
120
95
150
55
90
30
40
1. 6
3. 0
1. 4
2. 2
130
210
90
150
110
180
65
100
- - -
50
70
3. 6
5. 6
2. 5
3. 3
40
60
3. 2
4. 6
2. 4
3. 2
35
50
2. 6
3. 8
1. 8
2. 6
35
55
O A
3. 0
4. 2
2. 0
3. 0
25
40
I. u
2. 8
1. 4
2. 2
30
45
2. 4
3. 2
1. 7
2. 4
50
75
3. 6
5. 6
2. 5
3. 3
40
60
3. 2
4. 6
2. 4
3. 2
35
55
3. 0
4. 2
0 n
u
0. u
30
45
2. 4
3. 2
1. 7
2. 4
ou
/ 0
3. 6
5. 6
2. 5
3. 3
40
60
3. 2
4. 6
2. 4
3. 2
35
55
3. 0
4 2
2. 0
3. 0
30
45
2! 4
3! 2
1. 7
2. 4
17
23
. 7
1. 2
75
110
55
85
65
95
40
60
15
20
. 6
1. 0
70
100
50
75
60
85
35
50
Pasture (cow-
acre-days) '
90
70
60
40
30
60
30
85
65
40
150
135
120
95
150
135
120
135
125
115
75
135
125
115
60
55
100
75
150
140
110
r.'o
90
100
65
70
110
85
55
65
50
55
150
140
110
120
90
100
70
150
140
120
100
150
140
120
100
100
85
100
75
85
110
90
50
40
150
100
90
70
50
90
50
120
95
70
190
170
150
120
190
170
150
170
160
145
100
170
160
145
85
80
140
110
185
170
140
150
120
135
95
105
150
120
90
100
70
80
190
175
140
150
120
130
100
190
175
150
130
190
175
150
130
140
125
140
110
125
160
125
75
60
58 SOIL SUIU'EY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 5. — Estimated average acre yields of specified crops under two
[In coliiiinis A are yields iiiuler present management; in columns B are yields under improved management. Where
Corn
Wheat
Barley
Soil
A
B
A
B
A
B
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Hazel channerv silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded -
«
D
1 0
lU
lU
1 K
1 0
Ha/cl channerv silt loam, 20 to 'M) percent slopes, moderatelv eroded.- . _ . . .
10
15
8
12
12
17
Higlitichi gra\'cllv loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes .. . _ . - .
ou
7K
1 0
zo
oO
40
4U
K K
00
HiRhficld gravellv loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded..
99
■^9
oZ
OO
A K
40
Highficld gravcUv loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded.
00
90
zu
97
Z /
OO
oU
Ai\
4U
Highfield gravellv loam, 20 to :{5 percent slopes, moderately eroded .
40
I D
99
zz
90
ZU
on
OU
Highfield verv stony loam, 5 to 'M) percent slopes. .. .- .
40
/u
9^1
ZO
oO
OK
■JO
Kn
OU
Holston graAcUv loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
4U
00
9'i
ZO
oU
A K
40
Holston gravellv loam, 8 to 15 {)ercent slopes, moderately eroded
oO
00
90
zu
98
Zo
9';
ZO
0 K
OO
Holst(jn gravellv loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, se\-erelv eroded ... . .
Holston gravellv loam, 15 to 25 percent slojx's, moderatelv eroded . -
oyj
OU
1 7
99
zz
99
ZZ
■^9
OZ
Holston grav(>llv loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded.. ..
oO
00
10
9"^
ZO
■^0
OU
An
4U
Holston gravellv sandv loam, ',i to 15 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded
iC\
4U
1 9
1 z
90
ZU
90
ZO
OU
Holston gravellv sandv loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded . .. .
18
30
10
15
15
20
Holston silt loam, 0 to ',i percent slopes _. . .
40
7n
9^
ZO
OtJ
oO
Kn
OU
Holston silt loan), 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded .
00
9'^
ZO
oO
on
A K
40
Holston silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded. .... ..
35
55
20
28
25
35
Huntington fine sandv loam_ . _ __ __
DO
1 no
*?0
OU
KK
00
Hutitington gravellv ioain _ _ ._ .. .. ..
7n
1 u
1 TO
90
CO
*tVJ
40
4U
KK
00
Huntington silt loam .
70
1 10
30
40
40
55
Huntington silt loam, local alluvium . .... .. .
1 0
1 lo
A O
4U
no
DU
KK
00
TK
1 0
oO
OU
1 8
98
Zo
"^O
OU
A K
40
Laidig gravellv loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded .. .. _ .
QO
OZ
KK
00
10
ZO
oc
Zo
AO
4U
Laidig gravellv loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded . ..
KO
OU
1 9
IZ
on
ZU
O K
ZO
OK
OO
Laidig gravellv loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded . ..
OK
Ar\
4U
1 0
lU
1 7
1 /
90
ZU
TO
oU
Laidig verv stonv loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes .. . .
Landisburg chert v silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded .. ...
Af\
4U
AK
DO
OK
ZO
0(i
OO
0 K
oO
A K
40
Landisburg chert V silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded . . .
oO
00
OO
zu
on
oU
on
ou
ACl
4U
Largent silt loam. . ._
40
1 0
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. . .
40
70
20
30
30
40
Leadvale gravellv silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded. . . ...
35
55
15
25
25
35
Lindside silt loam .... .. . ..
oU
OO
Lindside silt loam, local alluvium. _ . ... ....
55
OO
yo
on
ZU
on
oU
on
oU
An
4U
litz channerv loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded . ... ...
00
lo
OK
Z5
Zo
OK
oO
Litz channerv loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded. . ...
ZO
45
10
OO
ZZ
OO
zz
OO
oZ
Litz channerv loam, 10 to 20 perc(Mit slopes, severelv eroded. ... ...
20
35
12
20
18
25
Litz shalv loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes . . .. _ .
30
50
18
25
25
35
Litz shalv loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded ...
28
45
18
25
25
35
Litz shalv loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded . . ._.
OK
ZO
A O
40
15
OO
zz
99
ZZ
Q9
oZ
Litz shalv loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severelv eroded
OO
ZO
on
1 o
IZ
on
ZU
1 8
lo
9K
ZO
Litz shalv loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded _ . . . .
on
QO
OU
1 o
IZ
on
ZU
1 a
lo
ZO
Litz-Teas channerv silt loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes _ ..
30
55
on
ZU
on
oU
OK
ZO
OK
OO
Litz-Teas channerv silt loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded _ . ..
25
45
15
oc
Z5
OO
zz
OK
oO
Litz-Teas channerv silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severelv eroded . .
or*
zO
OA
1 o
IZ
on
ZU
lo
98
Zo
Litz-Teas channerv silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded . ...
20
35
12
20
18
30
Litz-Teas channerv silt loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Melvin silt loam. ....
40
70
Monongahela gravellv loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded . . .
35
55
15
25
25
35
Monongahela gravellv loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded
30
45
15
25
20
30
Monongahela silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes .... . .
40
60
20
30
30
45
Monongahela silt loain, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded . . .
35
55
15
25
25
35
Monongahela silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded . . ..
30
45
15
25
20
30
Monongahela silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded .. ... ...
25
40
12
20
15
25
Montevallo shalv loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded . ..........
25
40
12
20
20
30
Montevallo shalv loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderatelv eroded . .. .. ..
20
35
12
20
18
25
See footnotes at end of table.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAHVLAM)
59
levels of management on the soils sultabh for crops or pasture — Conlinucd
yields are not given, either the soil is not suitable for that crop or there is no information on which to base an estimate)
OiUs
Alfiilfn
Cloxcr Mild
Apples
Peiiches
Pniiios and
(Jlicrric'S '
niixt'd hay
plums
A
B
A
B
A
i>
A
B
A
B
A
A
B
Bit.
Bu.
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
nu.
Uu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
L'>.
Ui.
10
15
0. 5
0. 8
12
17
. 5
. 9
60
80
45
60
50
70
30
40
35
55
3. 2
4. 0
1. 9
2. 7
180
260
135
195
160
230
90
130
30
45
3. 0
3. 8
1. 8
2. 6
140
240
105
180
125
210
70
120
30
40
2. 6
3. 4
1. 5
2. 3
120
170
90
125
105
150
GO
85
20
30
2. 2
3. 0
1. 2
2. 0
110
160
80
120
95
140
55
80
35
50
2. 8
3. 8
1. 7
2. 4
170
240
125
180
150
210
85
120
30
45
2. 6
3. 2
1. 5
2. 2
140
210
105
155
125
180
70
105
25
40
2. 4
3. 0
1. 3
1. 9
130
180
95
135
115
160
65
90
22
35
2. 0
2. 8
1. 2
1. 7
120
170
90
125
105
145
60
85
30
40
2. 2
3. 2
1. 3
2. 0
130
180
95
135
110
155
65
90
20
30
1. 8
2. 6
1. 1
1. 6
90
130
70
110
80
120
45
65
15
20
. 6
1. 0
70
100
50
75
60
85
35
50
35
50
2. 8
3. 8
1. 7
2. 4
170
240
125
180
150
210
85
120
30
45
2. 6
3. 2
1. 5
2. 2
140
210
105
155
125
180
70
105
25
40
2. 4
3. 0
1. 3
1. 9
130
180
95
135
115
160
65
90
40
55
2. 4
3. 6
2. 0
2. 6
40
55
2. 4
3. 6
2. 2
3. 0
40
55
2. 4
3. 6
2. 2
3. 0
60
80
3. 4
5. 4
2. 5
3. 5
30
45
2. 4
3. 4
1. 4
2. 2
130
180
95
135
115
160
65
90
28
40
2 2
3 2
1. 3
2. 0
130
180
95
135
115
160
65
90
25
35
'i 0
2. 8
1. 2
1. 8
120
170
90
125
105
150
60
85
20
1. 4
2. 4
. 9
1. 4
90
140
65
105
80
120
45
70
35
45
1. 8
2. 6
30
40
1. 4
2. 2
1. 4
2. 2
1. 2
1. 8
1. 8
2. 7
30
40
2. 0
3. 0
25
35
2. 0
2. 8
1. 3
1. 8
140
190
105
140
120
165
70
95
20
32
1. 6
2. 6
1. 2
1. 7
120
170
90
125
105
150
60
85
18
25
1. 0
1. 4
100
150
75
110
85
125
50
75
25
35
2. 0
2. 8
1. 3
1. 8
140
190
105
140
120
165
70
95
25
35
2. 0
2. 8
1. 3
1. 8
140
190
105
140
120
165
70
95
20
32
1. 6
2. 6
1. 2
1. 7
120
170
90
125
105
150
60
85
18
25
1. 0
1. 4
100
150
75
110
85
125
50
75
18
25
1. 4
2. 2
1. 0
1. 4
100
150
75
110
85
125
50
75
25
35
2. 0
2. 8
1. 3
1. 8
140
190
105
145
120
175
70
95
20
30
1. 6
2. 6
1. 2
1. 7
120
170
90
125
105
150
60
85
15
25
1. 0
1. 4
100
150
75
110
85
125
50
75
15
25
1. 4
2. 2
1. 0
1. 4
100
150
75
110
85
125
50
75
1. 5
2. 8
1. 5
2. 3
1. 2
1. 8
1. 5
2. 5
1. 5
2. 3
1. 2
1. 8
1. 0
1. 4
15
25
1. 4
2. 2
1. 0
1. 4
100
150
75
115
90
135
50
75
18
25
1. 3
2. 0
. 8
1. 2
85
125
65
95
80
115
40
65
1 - i
Pasture (cow-
acre-days) '
25
30
120
100
80
60
75
55
100
90
75
55
65
60
70
50
40
100
90
75
135
150
160
160
75
70
60
45
35
70
60
100
80
70
130
130
70
60
50
70
65
60
50
55
35
40
70
60
50
50
30
40
85
70
60
80
70
60
50
50
45
35
40
40
45
145
125
100
80
100
75
135
125
105
80
90
85
100
80
60
135
125
105
175
190
190
200
110
100
90
70
55
100
90
150
115
100
165
170
100
90
75
100
95
90
75
80
60
65
100
90
75
80
55
60
140
100
90
120
100
90
85
80
75
65
70
60
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 5. — Estimated average acre yiebh of specified crops under two
[In coluiiuis A are yields under present management; in columns B are yields under improved management. Where
Soil
Murrill gravelly loam, 0 to '.i j)erceiit slopes
Miirrill Kraxclly loam, 0 to S percent slopes, moderately eroded
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, inod(>rately eroded
Murrill gravellN- loam, 8 to 25 })ercent sloj)es, severely eroded
Murrill gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Murrill gravelly loam, 25 to 45 i)ercent sloi)es, moderately eroded
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 p(>rcent slopes, severely eroded ^
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
Murrill silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Murrill sill loam, 0 to 8 percent slojx^s, moderately eroded
Murrill silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Myers\ ille channery loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Myersville channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Myersville chaiuiery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Myersville channery loam, 20 to 30 {)ercent slojx's, moderately eroded
Myersville chaiuiery loatri, 30 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Myersville channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, .severely eroded
Myi'rsville chainier\ silt loam, 10 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded
Myersville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes _._
Myersville silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Myersville silt loam, 10 to 20 j)ercent slopes, moderately eroded
Myersville very stony loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Philo gravelly sandy loam
Philo silt loanu
Pope fine sandy loam
Pope gravelly loam ,
Pope gravelly sandy loam
Pope silt loani_
Pope stony gravelly loam
Rohrersville silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 0 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 10 to 20 percent slopes, .severely eroded
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 20 to 30 percent slopes I
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 20 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded...
Terrace escarpments
Thurmont gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Thurmont gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Trego gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 [jercent slopes
Trego gravelly silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Tyler silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
Warners loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Waynesboro gravelly loatn, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Wehadkee silt loam
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded
60
50
40
35
35
30
22
22
60
50
40
60
55
45
30
35
60
55
45
35
45
60
60
45
60
50
30
20
20
35
30
40
35
40
70
45
42
40
30
35
Bu.
95
85
70
Wh(?at
Bu.
35
25
20
60
55
50
40
40
95
85
70
95
90
80
55
60
95
90
80
15
20
15
12
12
35
25
20
30
25
20
18
18
30
25
20
65
75
90
90
75
90
80
45
35
35
35
30
20
25
35
55
45
35
40
65
55
65
55
65
100
75
70
65
50
55
55
50
35
45
60
85
75
55
65
25
25
20
25
Bu.
50
40
35
25
30
25
20
20
50
40
35
40
35
30
25
25
40
35
30
20
15
12
12
18
15
20
15
25
22
20
15
18
15
15
8
10
30
22
18
20
35
35
30
35
30
22
18
18
28
25
35
20
35
30
28
22
25
25
22
15
20
40
30
25
28
Barley
Bu.
40
35
30
25
30
25
20
20
40
35
30
40
35
30
25
25
40
35
30
35
35
30
35
80
22
18
18
30
25
30
20
35
32
30
20
25
28
20
15
18
40
30
25
28
' Yields for cherries are not given on an acre basis, but as pounds per tree.
WASHINCiTON COUNTY, MAHYLAND
01
Icrds of inainKjOiu iil on lite soI/k sititnhh for crop.s or pdsliii >, ( 'out iiiiird
yields are not i^iven, either the soil is not suitable for that crop or l here is no information on wliich to base an estimate]
Oats
Alfalfa
Clove
r and
Apples
Peaches
Priiii(;s and
C/herri(?s '
mixed hay
piiini!-:
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
^-
A
B
A
B
A
li
Bu
7ons
Tons
1 0718
_
/ 0718
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
Bu.
tsu.
lilt.
Lh.
Lb.
40
60
3. 0
4. 0
2. 0
2. 9
oO
00
9 R
"< R
o. o
1. 8
2. ()
180
260
1 Q^i
1 tjO
160
230
Qn
I7U
1 xn
1 ou
30
45
2. 2
3. 2
1. 4
2. 1
140
240
105
180
120
210
70
120
25
40
1. 8
2. 6
1. 2
1. 8
110
190
80
145
95
165
55
95
30
40
2. 6
3. 4
1. 5
2 3
120
170
90
125
105
150
60
85
OO
1 . o
9 fi
1. 2
1. 7
1 1 n
1 1 u
160
Rn
ou
120
95
140
00
Rn
ou
ou
1 4
9 9
. 9
1. 3
Qn
130
fit;
uo
80
115
4'i
fi'i
uo
20
30
1. 4
2. 2
9
1. 3
90
130
65
95
80
1 15
45
65
in
fin
n
o. u
4 n
u
2. 0
2. 9
OO
R
O. o
1. 8
2. 6
180
260
135
195
160
230
Qn
1 "^n
1 ou
ou
^O
9 9
9
O.
1. 4
2. 1
1 4n
1 rtu
240
105
iRn
1 ou
120
210
7n
1 u
1 9n
1 ^u
4.n
fin
fi
o. u
4 fi
2 2
3. 0
p>n
ou
9
o. ^
4 n
U
l! 9
2. 7
180
260
135
1 vo
160
230
90
1 "^n
1 ou
"iO
oU
^o
1 n
O. 1/
4 n
1. 8
2. 4
140
240
105
180
120
210
70
120
25
32
2. 6
3. 6
1. 6
2. 2
1 1 0
1 1 u
190
Rn
ou
1 4*^
95
165
Q^
OO
9 8
o. o
1. 7
2. 3
125
220
Qn
i7U
160
105
185
fin
uu
1 nn
1 uu
40
60
3. 6
4. 6
2. 2
3 0
35
50
3. 2
4. 0
1. 9
2. 7
180
260
135
195
160
230
90
130
^O
■? n
4 n
rr. U
l! 8
2! 4
1 4n
1 rrU
240
105
180
120
210
7n
1 u
1 9n
1 ^u
ou
'in
ou
9 4
4
O. t:
1
2. 2
OO
fin
ou
9 4
^ 4
O. T
1 . o
2. 2
■^fl
oyj
'±o
1 R
1. o
n
o. u
1. 4
2! 1
OO
"in
ou
9 4
^ 4
O. T
1. 5
2. 2
1. 6
2. 5
20
35
1. 6
2. 6
1. 2
1. 7
120
170
90
125
105
150
60
85
18
25
1. 2
2. 2
1 n
1 . u
1
1. 0
100
150
75
110
00
130
50
75
18
25
1. 2
2. 2
1 n
1 . u
1 ^
1. 0
100
150
75
110
Ri^
00
130
50
75
30
45
2. 2
3. 2
1 4
1. t
9 ^
150
200
105
150
1/0
75
100
25
40
2. 0
2. 8
1. 2
2. 0
120
170
90
130
105
150
60
85
1. 0
9 '^
1. 2
2. 3
1. 2
2. 2
2. 6
3. 7
35
50
2. 8
3. 8
1. 7
2. 4
170
240
125
180
150
210
85
120
32
45
2. 6
3. 2
1
1 . o
9 9
140
210
110
160
1^0
1 R^
1 00
70
105
30
40
2. 4
3. 0
1. 3
1. 9
130
180
95
140
110
160
65
90
90
"in
ou
1 4
9 9
. 9
1. 3
on
yu
1 ^n
1 ou
fiI^
DO
inn
lUU
75
115
•±o
UO
25
35
2. 0
2. 6
1. 1
1. 7
120
170
90
125
105
145
60
85
28
40
2. 2
3. 2
1. 3
2. 0
130
180
95
140
110
160
65
90
20
30
1. 8
2. 6
1. 1
1. 6
90
130
65
100
80
115
45
65
15
20
. 6
1. 0
70
100
50
75
60
85
35
50
18
25
1. 2
2. 0
. 7
1. 2
80
120
60
90
70
105
40
60
1. 2
2. 0
35
55
3. 0
4. 2
2. 0
2. 8
180
260
135
195
155
225
90
130
30
45
2. 4
3. 2
1. 6
2. 4
140
210
105
155
125
160
70
105
25
38
1. 8
2. 6
1. 3
2. 0
100
150
75
110
85
130
50
75
28
40
2. 0
2. 8
1. 4
2. 2
120
175
90
130
105
145
60
85
i'ast lire Ccow-
acre-days) '
1 35
120
95
70
70
60
90
70
55
55
35
135
120
95
135
125
115
75
55
85
70
135
125
115
55
75
100
120
120
90
120
95
115
60
45
45
35
75
80
60
85
65
70
160
100
90
75
55
60
50
55
70
50
40
45
70
120
100
75
80
50
The number of days in a calendar year that 1 acre will support 1 cow, horse, or steer without injury to the pasture.
62
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 19 5 9, NO. 17
Use and Management of Soils
This section has four subsections. The first consists
of an exphmation of the capability chxssilication of soils
and of suf^gestions for the use and management of the
soils of the county for agriculture; the second discusses
the use of the soils for forest; the third is concerned
with engineering properties of soils in relation to high-
way construction, irrigation, sewage disposal, and other
engineering jjrojects; and the fouith discusses the use
of the soil survey in community and county planning.
Capability Groups of Soils
The capability classification is a grouping of soils that
shows, in a general way, how suitable they are for most
kinds of farming. It is a practical grouping based on
limitations of the soils, the risk of damage when they
are used, and the way they respond to treatment.
In this system all tlie kinds of soil are grouped at
three levels — the capability class, subclass, and miit. The
eight cai^ability classes in the broadest groui)ing are
designated by Roman numerals I through VIII. In
class I are the soils that have few limitations, the widest
range of use, and the least risk of damage when they
are used. Tiie soils in the other classes have progressively
greater natural limitations. In class VIII are soils and
landforms so rough, shallow, or otherwise limited that
they do not produce wortliwhile yields of crops, forage,
or wood products.
The subt'lasses indicate major kinds of limitations with-
in the classes. Within most of the classes there can be up
to four subclasses. The subclass is indicated by adding
a small letter, e, tv, s, or c, to the class numeral, for
example, He. The letter e shows that the main limitat ion
is risk of erosion unless close-growing plant cover is
maintained; w means that water in or on the soil will
interfere with j^lant growth or cultivation (in some soils
the wetness can be partly corrected by artificial drainage) ;
s shows that the soil is limited mainly because it is
shallow, droughty, or stony, and c, used in only some
parts of the country, indicates that the chief limitation
is climate that is too cold or too dry.
In class I there are no subclasses, because the soils of
this class have few or no limitations. Class V can con-
tain, at the most, only subclasses to. s. and c. because the
soils in it have little or no erosion hazard but have other
limitations that limit their use largely to pasture, range,
woodland, or wildlife.
Within the subclasses are the capability units, groups
of soils enough alike to be suited to the same crops and
pasture plants, to require similar management, and to
have similar productivity and other responses to manage-
ment. Thus, the capability unit is a convenient grouping
of soils for many statements about their management.
Capability units are generally identified by numbers
assigned locally, for example, IIe-1 or IIIe-4.
Soils are classified in capabilit}^ classes, subclasses, and
units in accordance with the degree and kind of their
permanent limitations; but without consideration of major
and generally expensive landforming that would change
the slope, depth, or other characteristics of the soil ; and
without consideration of possible but unlikely major rec-
lamation projects.
The eight classes in tlie capability system, and the
subclasses and units in this county, are given in the list
that follows. The numbers of the units in the list are
not consecutive because they are a i)art of a statewide
system of capability grouping, not all units of wliicli are
represented in Washington County.
(^lass I. Soils that have few limitations that restrict
their use.
Capability unit I-l. Deep, well-drained, nearly
level soils developed from or influenced by
limestone.
Capability unit 1-4. Deep, well-drained, nearly
level soils not significantly influenced by lime-
stone.
Capability unit 1-6. Deep, well-drained soils
on flood plains and low terraces.
Class II. Soils that have some limitations that reduce
the choice of plants or that require moderate conserva-
tion practices.
Subclass He. Nearly level to gently sloping soils,
subject to erosion if tilled.
Capability unit IIe-1. Deep, well-drained, near-
ly level to gently sloping soils with a friable
surface layer; developed from or influenced
by limestone and moderately limited by the
hazard of erosion.
Capability unit IIe-4. Deep, well-drained, near-
ly level to gently sloping soils; not appreciably
influenced by limestone but moderately limited
by the hazard of erosion.
Capability unit IIe-10. Nearly level to sloping,
well-drained soils that are somewhat shallow
to moderately deej) to acid rock.
Capability unit lIe-11. Nearly level to sloping,
somewhat excessively drained soils that are
shallow to materials somewhat influenced by
lime.
Capability unit IIe-13. Gently sloping, moder-
ately eroded soils that have a tight subsoil that
restricts drainage.
Capability unit IIe-19. Deep, well-drained,
nearly level to gently sloping, heavy-textured
or fine-textured soils developed from lime-
stone, and which are moderately limited by
the hazard of erosion.
Capability unit IIe-26. Deep, well-drained,
nearly level to gently sloping, friable soils
developed from cherty limestone, and which
are moderately limited by the hazard of
erosion.
Subclass IIw. Moderately wet soils.
Capability imit IIw-1. Nearly level to gently
sloping soils that have impeded drainage and
that are not influenced by lime.
Capability unit IIw-7. Nearly level to slop-
ing, moderately well drained soils of flood
plains and upland depressions, not subject
to frequent damaging floods.
Subclass lis. Nearly level to sloping soils, moder-
ately limited by physical characteristics.
Capability unit ils-1. Deep, well-drained, near-
ly level, heavy-textured or fine-textured soils
that have developed from limestone; moder-
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
ately limited by difFiculty of cult ival ion and
mana<2;ement.
Capability unit IIs-2. Nearly level to slopinjr,
sandy and <^ravelly soils; moderately limited
by low moisture capacity.
Capability unit IIs-7. Nearly level to sloping,
well-drained soils that are rather shallow to
acid rock; moderately limited by low moisture
capacity.
Class III. Soils that have severe limitations that reduce
the choice of plants or that require special conservation
practices, or both.
Subclass Ille. Sloping soils that have high risk
of erosion if tilled.
Capability unit IIIe-1. Deej), well-drainod,
sloping to somewhat rolling soils with a friable
surface layer; developed from or influenced
by limestone, and moderately eroded.
Capability unit Ille— 1. Deep, well-drained,
sloping to somewhat rolling soils, not ap-
preciably influenced by limestone, and moder-
ately eroded.
Capability unit IIIe-5. Deep, well-drained,
gently to strongly sloping, sandy and gravelly
soils that are moderately eroded.
Capability unit IIIe-6. Well-drained soils on
bottom land that have short, irregular, and,
in some places, rather steep slopes; subject to
serious erosion.
Capability unit IIIe-10. Sloping to strongly
sloping, well-drained soils that are somewhat
shallow to acid rock, and are moderately
eroded.
Capability unit IIIe-13. Sloping to strongly
sloping, moderately eroded soils that have a
tight subsoil that restricts drainage.
Capability unit IIIe-26. Deep, well-drained,
sloping to strongly sloping, moderately eroded
soils tliat liave developed from cherty lime-
stone.
Capability unit IIIe-30. iModerately deep and
deep, well-drained, sloping and moderately
eroded, or gently sloping and severely eroded,
fine-textured soils that have developed from
limestone.
Capability unit IIIe-31. Sloping to strongly
sloping, somewhat excessively drained, moder-
ately eroded soils that are shallow to materials
somewhat influenced by lime.
Capability unit IIIe-32. Sloping to strongly
sloping, well-drained, moderately eroded soils
that are rather shallow to acid rock.
Capability unit IIIe-44. Deep, well-drained,
gently sloping and slo])ing, severely eroded
soils not influenced by limestone.
Subclass IIIw. Wet soils that require artificial
drainage if tilled.
Capability unit IIIw-1. Poorly drained soils of
flood plains, not influenced by lime.
Capability unit IIIw-2. Poorly drained and
very poorly drained soils of flood plains,
strongly influenced by lime.
Subclass Ills. Soils that are severely limited by
their physical characteristics.
599553—62 5
Capability unit IlIs-2. Gently sloping and slop-
ing, excessively drained, moderately eroded,
very shallow soils.
Class IV. Soils that have very severe limitations that
restrict the choice of plants, or that recjuire very careful
management, or both.
Subclass IVe. Soils that are very severely limited
by risk of erosion if tilled.
Capability unit IVe-1. Moderately deep and
deep, rolling to hilly, well-drained soils;
moderately to severely eroded and developed
from or influenced by limestone.
Capability unit IVe-3. Deep, rolling to hilly,
well-drained soils, mostly moderately eroded
and not appreciably influenced by limestone.
Capability unit IVe-5. Deep, well-drained,
sloping to rolling, gravelly and sandy soils
that are moderately and severely eroded.
Capability unit IVe-9. Strongly sloping to
hilly, moderately eroded soils that have a tight
subsoil that restricts drainage.
Capability unit IVe-10. Strongly sloping to
hilly, well-drained soils that are somewhat
shallow to acid rock; moderately to severely
eroded.
Capability unit IVe-26. Deep, well-drained,
rolling to hilly soils developed from cherty
limestone; moderately to severely eroded.
Capability unit IVe-31. Rolling to hilly, some-
what excessively drained soils that are shallow
to materials somewhat influenced by lime;
moderately to severely eroded.
Capability unit IVe-32. Rolling to hilly soils
tliat are shallow to acid rock; moderately and
severely eroded.
Class V. Soils that have little or no erosion hazard but
have other limitations that are impractical to remove
and that limit their use largely to pasture, woodland,
or wildlife food and cover. Only sulaclass Vs is in this
county, but the soils subject to frequent floods, if
mapped separately, would be in this class, subclass V-^v.
Subclass Vs. Soils that are limited in use to grazing
or woodland because of excessixe stoniness or
rockiness.
Capability unit Vs-1. Nearly level, well-drain-
ed, very rocky soils; rockiness consists of lime-
stone outcrops.
Capability unit Vs-2. Nearly level or very
gently sloping, stony and very stony soils
that are mostly well drained and not afi'ected
by limestone.
Class VI. Soils that have severe limitations that make
them generally unsuitable for cultivation and limit
their use largely to pasture, woodland, or wildlife food
and cover.
Subclass Vie. Soils that are moderately limited for
pasture or trees by risk of erosion if cover is not
maintained.
Capability unit VIe-1. Rolling and severely
eroded or steep and moderately eroded, well-
drained soils that have developed from lime-
stone.
Capability unit VIe-2. Rolling and severely
eroded or steep and moderately eroded, well-
64
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
drained, fairly deep soils that have not been
appreciably affected by limestone.
Capability unit VIe-3. Sloping and severely
eroded to moderately steep, practically un-
eroded, shallow and very shallow soils.
Subclass VIw. Soils severely limited by poor drain-
age or by very frequent damaging overflow, or
both.
Capability unit VIav-1. Poorly drained soils
subject to very frequent overflows.
Subclass Vis. Soils severely limited by stones and
outcrops of rock.
Capability unit VIs-1. Sloping to steep, well-
drained, very rocky soils that are moderately
eroded; rockiness consists of limestone out-
crops.
Capability unit VIs-2. Gently sloping to moder-
ately steep, well-drained, very stony soils that
are not affected by limestone.
Class VII. Soils that have very severe limitations that
make them unsuitable for cultivation and that restrict
their use largely to pasture, woodland, or wildlife
shelter.
Subclass Vile. Soils restricted in use to woodland
and grazing because of extreme hazard of erosion.
Capability unit VIIe-1. Very steep or very
severely eroded soils, or both, which have
developed from limestone.
Capability unit VIIe-2. Very steep or very
severely eroded soils, or both, which are not
influenced by limestone.
Capability unit VIIe-3. Very steep or very
severely eroded, sliallow soils, or both.
Subclass VIIs. Soils restricted in use to woodland
and grazing by extreme rockiness or stoniness.
Capability unit VIIs-1. Severely eroded or very
steep, very rocky and extremely rocky soils;
rockiness consists of limestone outcrops.
Capability unit VIIs-2. Shallow or steep, very
stony soils that are not influenced by lime-
stone.
Class VIII. Soils and land types not suitable for agri-
culture and restricted in use to recreation and wildlife.
Subclass VIIIs. Land restricted to nonagricultural
uses because of adverse physical characteristics.
Capability unit VIIIs-1. Extremely rough,
stony, and steep land, and large expanses of
barren rock.
Management by Capability Units
On the following pages each capability unit is de-
scribed briefly, the soils in each unit are listed, and
some suggestions for the use and management of those
soils are given.
CAPABILITY UNIT I-l
This unit consists of deep, well-drained soils that have
been developed in material that weathered from limestone
or was otherwise strongly influenced by lime. The soils
occupy nearly level areas in valleys and on old stream
terraces. None of these soils has been significantly af-
fected by erosion. All of them have a rather friable sur-
face layer, and tliey are easily worked and managed. The
soils of this unit are —
Duffield silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Etowah gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent sloi)es.
Etowah silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Fraukstown and Duffield chauuery silt loams, 0 to 3 percent
slopes.
Ilagerstown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Ilagerstown silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
These soils occur throughout the great limestone valley
section of the eastern part of the county. Their total
area is about 5,300 acre^s, or 1.8 ])ercent of the county.
All of the soils of this capability unit are fertile and
productive. They have the highest natural fertility of
any group of scjils in the county. They are easily worked,
with little danger of deterioration by erosion or loss of
productiveness. These soils are well suited to all crops
common to the county, with the possible exception of
orchard crops because of poor air drainage in many loca-
tions. Tliey are excellent for pasture. Tliey are deep and
well drained and have a thick, frialile surface layer of
medium to moderately fine texture. The Frankstown soils
contain some chert, shale, or in some places limestone
fragments, but this in no way interferes with cultivation
or lessens their productiveness.
Practically all soils of this capability unit have been
cleared and are in use for crops or pasture (except for
some urban areas). Agriculture in AVashington County
is essentially dairy and livestock farming. These enter-
prises are especially concentrated and important on the
soils in this capability unit. Some of these soils are used
for corn year after year, almost continuously, but a 3-year
rotation is more common. Corn or some other row crop
is generally followed by wheat or barley, or sometimes
by oats, and these, in turn, are followed by clover or
mixed hay, or sometimes by alfalfa. Some fields are kept
in alfalfa for 3 to 5 years, then put into corn for a year
or more, and then are reseeded to alfalfa. There are some
excellent pastures on these soils.
Although some of these soils are being used to their
best advantage in agriculture, urban and suburban ex-
pansion are using up some of the best agricultural land
in the county. On the areas that are still used for agri-
culture, there are some measures that would increase pro-
ductiveness. Soil testing should be more universally done,
in order that fertilizers and lime can be vised to their
greatest effectiveness. AAHien corn is grown almost con-
tinuously, a winter cover crop should be grown between
corn crops. None of these soils has a slope of more than
3 percent, but the long slopes should be farmed in strips
at right angles to the direction of the grade, to help
prevent possible losses by erosion.
These are the best soils of the county. They should
be more intensively farmed and even better managed.
They contribute much to the economy of the county, but
could contribitte even more.
CAPABILITY UNIT I^
This unit consists of deep, well-drained, nearly level
soils. The soils occupy small areas on flat ridgetops in the
uplands and in some valleys, and they are also on some old
terraces. They have not been significantly influenced by
limestone, except for some areas of the Murrill soils.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAUVLANU
65
None of the soils in this unit luis been significantly af-
fected by erosion. The soils in (his unit arc —
Fauquier chauuory loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Fauquier silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Hif^hlield gravelly loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Holston gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Holston silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Laidig gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Murrill gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Murrill silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Myersville channery loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Myersville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
These soils occur in many parts of the county. Al-
thouo-h none of them is strictly within the great lime-
stone valley, some of them are on foot slopes and other
areas adjacent to the valley. The total area of the soils
is about 3,300 acres, or 1.1 percent of the county.
These soils ai'e deep and not eroded; they have a
moderate to high moisture-supplying capacity. The soils
have little limitation for use for any purpose. They differ
from the soils of capability unit 1-1 in that they are
commonly more acid, are much more gravelly or chan-
nery, and as a rule are somewhat less productive. Al-
though a number of different soils make up this capa-
bility unit, the individual areas of most of them are
rather small. They occupy the most nearly level spots
in much larger areas where most of the soils are sloping
to hilly.
None of these soils has been significantly affected by
erosion. Because they are acid, the soils need lime, and
they also need a good fertility program. They are, on
the average, only fairly well supplied with plant nu-
trients.
The soils of capability unit are used for all of
the common crops of the county and for good quality
pasture. Some of them, particularly those of the Laidig
and Murrill series, have sufficiently good air drainage
for good orchards, but this is not true of all the areas.
Most of these soils have been cleared and put to use, but
some small areas are still in forest. Yields are commonly
less than on soils of capability unit I-l, yet some of the
finest farms in the county are located where these soils
are being well managed.
Because they generally occur in small spots, manage-
ment is commonly the same as for surrounding or ad-
jacent soils that make up a greater part of many fields.
The surrounding soils may belong to almost any capa-
bility unit, but most commonly are in capability unit
IIe-4 or IIIe-4. The soils of capability unit 1-4 require
somewhat more careful management than soils of capa-
bility unit I-l, because they are somewhat less fertile.
Either 3-year or 4-year I'otations are ideal for them, but
rotations can well be extended to 5 or more years if such
a crop as alfalfa occupies the land for 3 or more years.
Under average present management, yields on soils of
capability unit 1-4 are fairly high, but could be im-
proved considerably by more careful management and
treatment. Good average yields of corn, for instance, are
probably between 50 and 70 bushels per acre, but these
yields could be increased by 20 to 30 bushels. It is not
at all unusual to have yields of 90 to 100 bushels or more
on the best managed fields, and, if improved manage-
ment were more widely practiced, the average yields of
corn could approach such figures.
CAi'Ar.ii.ri'Y i .M'j- I <;
This unit consists of nearly level, well-drained, friable
soils on flood plains and on low sireain terraces. 'J'hese
soils may be flooded, but normally flooding is very infre-
quent. The soils of this unit are —
Ashton fine sandy loam, 0 to ti percent slopes.
Congaree silt loam and gravelly loam.
Huntington line sandy loam.
Huntington gravelly loam.
Huntington silt loam.
Huntington silt loam, local allmiuiri.
Pope line sandy loam.
Pope gravelly loam.
Pope silt loam.
These soils are located along streams and rivers in all
parts of the county. The largest areas are within flood
plains in the great limestone valley, or in upland depres-
sions where similar materials have accumulated. Small,
very narrow strips that lie along some of the smaller
streams and drainageways are generally used and man-
aged like the adjacent soils. The total area of this iinit
is about 11,500 acres, or 3.9 percent of the county.
These soils are well suited to most of the common crops
and to pasture. The Pope and Congaree soils are fairly
fertile, and crops on them respond well to management;
the Huntington and Ashton soils are even more fertile
and productive. Although orchards are not generally
planted on soils of the flood plains, there are some or-
chards on these soils in the county. Some crops can be
grown on these soils without fertilizer or lime, but the
practice is not recommended. The moisture supply is
nearly always adequate for crops, since these deep soils
are readily penetrated by roots.
A few areas of these soils may be subject to floods that
damage crops. The use of these areas should be adjusted
to the flood hazard; for example, areas that are very
frequently flooded should be kept in permanent sod or
trees.
Corn and hay are the principal crops. Corn may be
grown continuously year after year, preferably with a
cover crop between corn seasons. Mixed hay is a com-
mon crop and may be grazed part of the time. Small
grains as a rule are not grown, because there is some
danger of flooding and lodging.
The average pi-oductivity of these soils, particularly
of the Ashton and the Huntington soils, is high. Of spe-
cial importance is the fact that well-managed pastures
on these soils have perhaps the greatest carrying capa-
cities of any pastures in the county. Fertilizer and lime
should be used on these soils as indicated by soil tests,
and they will generally be applied to corn, whether it is
grown in rotation or as a continuous crop. Animal
manure is especially valuable for corn.
Weeds are a common pest in pastures unless they are
controlled. They can be controlled with chemical weed
killers, or by proper fertilization, carefidly regulated
grazing, and mowing at proper intervals. Perhaps the
most valuable single tool in pasture management on any
soil is the mowing machine, and the machine is easily
used on these soils.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIe-1
This mut consists of deep, well-drained, nearly level
to gently sloping soils that have a friable surface layer.
66
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
These soils liave been developed in or slronglj^ influenced
by niatorial that weathered from limestone, and they are
moderately limited by the hazard of erosion. The soils of
this unit are — •
Duffield silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Etowah gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Etowah silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstown and Duliield channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Ilagerstown silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown silty chiy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
These soils are e.xtensive in the limestone valley, and
they occur in scattered areas in the western part of the
county. They occupy about 48,500 acres, which is 16.1
percent of the comity.
Besides being deep, well drained, and fertile, the soils
of this capability unit are fairly easily worked and
manaoed and ai"e highly productive. Although erosion is
a problem, it is not a serious one under good manage-
ment. The soils can be fairly easily conserved. Since
there has been some erosion, these soils are slightly less
productive, on the average, than those of capability unit
I-l. The soils of unit IIe-1 need careful attention, and
most of them have been getting it ever since the area was
first settled.
These soils are used the same way as the soils of capa-
bility unit I-l ; that is, for corn, small grains, hay ci'ops,
and pasture, in support of the dominant livestock eco-
nomy where they occur. In addition, some areas, partic-
ularly of Dunmore and Westmoreland soils, are used for
orchards. In general farming, 3-year and 4-year rota-
tions are commonly used. The chief single crops are corn
and hay, generally grown in a rotation of 1 year of corn
followed by 2 or more years of mixed hay or of alfalfa.
These soils are particularly well suited to legumes, such
as alfalfa and clover, which in turn contribute much to
the fertility and productivity of the soils. Yields of all
crops are high under average prevailing management.
The special management needed on these soils consists
chiefly of the maintenance of fertility and the prevention
of erosion. The soils should be tested and given lime
and fertilizer according to the needs indicated. Full
use should be made of all manure and crop residue.
Erosion is not serious. It never will be a very great
hazard if proper contour tillage and stripcropping, with
supporting practices, are used. In some places runoff
water should be diverted into natural drainageways, and
the drainageways should be kept cai'efully sodded. Out-
lets of such diversions must be well prepared and care-
fully maintained or the concentrated water is likely to
cause gullies.
These soils are the most important in the county be-
cause of their extent and their high productivity. If
they are properly conserved and carefully managed, pro-
duction can become even higher and there will never be
more than a slight danger of damaging soil losses. The
soils are probably more productive now than they were
a hundred j^ears ago.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIe-4
This unit consists of deep, well-drained, nearly level
to gently sloping soils that were developed in nonlimy
materials and are not appreciably influenced by limestone.
The soils are similar to those of capability unit I^, but
they are more limited by the hazard of erosion. In this
unit are —
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 0 to 12 percent slopes.
Fauquier channery loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Fauquier silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Ilighfleld gravelly loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Holston gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Holston silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Laidig gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Murrill silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Myersville channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Myersville silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Thurmont gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These soils are located throughout the county except
in the limestone valley. The total area is about 22,200
acres, or 7.5 percent of the county. The soils are much
like those of capability unit IIe-1, except that they have
not been appreciably influenced by limestone in their
development.
All of these soils are acid unless they have been limed,
although in some places lime is present in the deep, un-
derlying strata. They are all at least moderately fertile,
and the best of these soils, particularly those of the
Fauquier, Highfield, Murrill, and Myersville series, are
highly productive. Perhaps the soils of the lowest na-
tural productivity are those of the Laidig series. All
the soils are medium textured, and many of them have
considerable amounts of gravel or schist fragments in the
surface layer and throughout the profile. The surface
layer is friable and easily worked when moist.
Some of the soils of this capability unit have slopes up
to 10 or 12 percent, and, on some of the sloping soils,
there has been a moderate amount of erosion. Nowhere
is erosion very serious, but everywhere it is more of a
hazard than it is on the soils of capability unit 1-4.
These soils are widely used for livestock and general
farming. Many of the better orchards are concentrated
on them, particularly in the areas near Smithsburg,
Boonsboro, and Clear Spring. This is not only because
the soils are well drained, permeable, and fertile, but
also because they are in positions that have the good air
drainage so essential for practical orcharding. Apples,
peaches, prunes, and plums are extensively grown.
Cropping systems are essentially the same as for the
soils in capability unit 1-4. The 3-year rotation is the most
commonly followed, but rotations may extend as long as
5 or 6 years if alfalfa is grown for 3 years or more. A
large proportion of the soils is in pasture, probably more
than in any other capability unit. The pastures generally
have been well managed, and their carrying capacity is
high. Grass-clover mixtures are most commonly used for
grazing. Much hay is produced, consisting of alfalfa,
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
67
clovers, or mixtures of these. Most of these soils have
been fairly well managed, and many of the farmers are
cooperators with the soil conservation district.
The chief re(iuirements for soil management are to
maintain fertility and prevent erosion. Tliese soils need
more fertilizer, manure, and lime than do the soils of the
limestone valley. If sucli amendments are used according
to the needs indicated by soil tests, fertility and produc-
tivity can be maintained.
On long slopes that have gradients of 10 to 12 percent,
contour tillage, st ripcropping, and very careful water
disposal are needed to prevent loss of soil. These meas-
ures, plus the maintenance of a vegetative cover most
of the time will prevent soil losses, or at least limit them
to allowable amounts.
Management of these soils generally has been good,
but it can be improved on many farms. Observations
show that the average productivity of these soils can be
increased by perhaps 30 to 40 percent through the use
of methods that are already known. A few of the better
farms are producing at least that much more than aver-
age farms on the same soils. With improved manage-
ment, these soils can continue to produce high yields for
the indefinite future with little, if any, deterioration.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIe-10
In this unit are nearly level to sloping, well-drained
soils that are somewhat shallow to moderately deep over
shale or schist. Some areas have lost part of the original
surface layer through erosion, and danger of erosion is
a limiting hazard on all areas. The soils of this unit are —
Calvin channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin channery fine sandy loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent
slopes.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
These soils are in various parts of the county, except in
the limestone valley. They occupy about 1,600 acres, or
one-half of 1 percent of the county.
Because these soils are somewhat shallow to moder-
ately deep and are well drained, they become somewhat
droughty during long, dry periods. All of these soils
are strongly acid and rather low in fertility, so they are
less productive, on the average, than most of the other
soils of capability class II. General farming is the chief
agricultural pattern, with some emphasis on orchards.
The Calvin soils are in the western part of the county,
and the Chandler soils, mostly near the Potomac River
north and west of Harpers Ferry.
In general farming the 3-year rotation of corn, a small
grain, and hay is most commonly used. However from
a standpoint of maximum soil protection and greatest
production over long periods, the rotation could be in-
creased to 4 or 5 years. Hay crops or pasture should
be used to extend the rotations. On these rather shallow,
acid soils, alfalfa does not last so well as on most deeper
soils, and it is seldom kept in fields for more than 2 years
or possibly 3 years.
All of the soils of capability unit IIe-10 require meas-
ures to maintain fertility, and they should have all the
moisture-conserving practices that can be applied. Con-
siderable amounts of fertilizer will be required, and a
great deal of lime. Amounts to be used should be de-
cided only after the soils have been tested for content
of the various plant milrients and the requirement for
lime has been determined. All available animal inanure
and i)lant residue should be returned to the soil. Legu-
minous crops and cover crops should be grown wherever
possible. Contour tillage and contour stripcropping will
be especially valuable in conserving moisture and in
checking erosion. "VVlierever w^ater concentrates, as in
waterways and outlets, it shovdd be dispersed on a sodded
area. This will slow down the flow of water and allow
more to penetrate into the soil, and the sod will catch
much of the soil material carried in the water.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIe-11
This unit consists of nearly level to sloping, somewhat
excessively drained soils that are moderately deep over
shale material that contains some lime. These soils are
limited by shallowness and by the moderate hazard of
erosion. They are — •
Litz channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
The soils of this unit are a little more fertile than the
soils of capability units IIe-10 and IIIs-2, because of the
influence of lime. They are in scattered areas in the west-
ern part of the coimty, and also on some narrow ridge-
tops within the limestone valley. Their total area is
about 1,500 acres, or one-half of 1 percent of the county.
Some of the Litz channery loam is still in forest, but
practically all of the acreage of Litz-Teas channery silt
loams in this capability unit are in more intensive use.
Even though these soils are moderately deep and tend to
be droughty at times, they are rather extensively used
for orchards. Orchards on them are somewhat more pro-
ductive than those on the other somewhat shallow soils
of the same areas, notably those of capability units
IIe-10 and IIIs-2.
Although erosion has not been very active on the soils
of capability unit IIe-11, the hazard of erosion is pre-
sent. For control of erosion and management of the soil,
the same practices are needed that have been indicated
for capability unit IIe-10. With these practices, the
soils of capability unit IIe-11 should be productive in
spite of their shallowness and tendency to be droughty.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIe-13
This unit consists of gently sloping, moderately eroded
soils that have a tight subsoil that restricts drainage.
These soils are only moderately well drained, even though
they have good surface drainage. The soils of this unit
are —
Buchanan gravelly loam, 8 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Landisburg cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
;\Ionougahela gi'avelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Monongahela silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These soils are in various parts of the county, outside
the limestone valley. The areas, as a rule, are small. Their
68
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 195 9, NO. 17
total area is about 2,600 acres, or about eight-tent lis of
1 percent of the county.
These soils are used for general crops, but many of
them are still in forest. Altliovigh surface drainage is
good, much water is retained in tlie soil in wet seasons
because internal drainage is slow. This causes lieaving,
particularly in spring; perennial cro2)s, such as alfalfa,
arc damaged, and the stands do not last long, liecause
of wetness in spring, corn is genei'ally planted later on
these soils than on well-drained soils.
The slow internal drainage promotes runoff, so the
hazard of erosion is greater than is normal on moderate
slopes. Runoff shoidd be di\'erted above areas of these
soils wherever possible. Strips should not be exactly on
the contour, but graded to promote drainage. All outlets
of waterways and diversion terraces nmst be sodded or
otherwise caref\dly protected to prevent the formation
of rills and gullies.
In general fai-ming a -'5-year rotation of row crops,
grain, and hay is satisfactory. The soils are very good
for pasture, and tall grasses and wet-tolerant clovers
grow well. Grazing should be limited during wet pe-
riods to prevent puddling and compacting of the surface
layer.
These soils are subject to erosion and also to the haz-
ards of restricted internal drainage. To manage them
successfully, it is necessary to provide cover and control
runoff, provide surface drainage, choose water-tolerant
crops, and avoid cultivating or trampling when the soil
is wet.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIe-19
This unit consist of deep, well-drained, nearly level
or gently sloping, fine-textured soils that are umlerlain
by limestone and are moderately limited by the hazard
of erosion. The soils of this unit have a finer textured
surface layer than those of capability unit IIe-1, and they
are more difficult to cultivate and to manage. The soils
of this unit are —
Benevola clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
These soils are in various parts of the limestone valley.
They amount to about 1,200 acres, or four-tenths of 1
percent of the county.
These soils contain lime and are above average in
fertility. They are also hea\^ and tend to warm up late
in spring. The soils are gently sloping but wash easily
because water does not readily penetrate the fine-textured
surface layer. Plowing and cultivating are difficult and
almost impossible when the soil is too wet or too dry.
The soils are sticky and plastic; they puddle and form
clods easily if worked a little too wet, and generally are
very hard when they are too dry. Maintaining good soil
structure by turning mider cover crops and crop residues
and by using large amounts of animal manure may be
one key to success in managing these soils.
When properly managed, these are excellent agricul-
tural soils and are suitable for practically all crops.
Erosion control is highly important. Farming should
be done in well-graded strips, with diversions and water-
ways to control and dispose of water with great care.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIe-26
This unit consists of deep, well-drained, nearly level
to gently sloping, friable soils that are underlain by
cherty limestone and are moderately limited by the haz-
ard of erosion. The surface of the soil is generally cov-
ered with small chert fragments that help to protect it
from erosion. The soils of this unit are —
EUiber cherty loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These are excellent orchard soils where air drainage is
satisfactory. They occur, generally on ridgetops, in the
western part of the county. The total area is about 1,200
acres, or four-tenths of 1 percent of the county.
For general farming, a 4-year rotation with legume
hay for 2 years is well suited to these soils. Although
erosion is the most important management problem, the
soils are not so readily eroded as many other soils that
have the same degree of slope. The soils are somewhat
open and porous, and the numerous chert fragments
tend to protect tlie surface from rain splash and from
washing.
In Washington County these soils are used intensively
for orchards. They hold moisture well, and nearly all
the areas have good air drainage. Most orchards are
kept covered with a sod of grasses and clovers, Avhich
make excellent green manui'e when turned under once
a year. The orchards should be planted and cultivated
on the contour. The combination of contour cultivation
and sod cover will check runoff and encourage water to
enter the soil, thus reducing erosioii damage while build-
ing up the moisture supply for the orchard trees.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIw-1
This unit consists of nearly level or very gently slop-
ing soils that have somewhat impeded drainage. The
soils are on uplands and terraces and have not been in-
fluenced by lime. The soils of this unit are —
Buchanan gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Monongahela silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Trego gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Small tracts of these soils are scattered throughout
most of the county outside of the limestone valley. There
are onl}^ about 660 acres, or two-tenths of 1 percent of
the county.
The soils of this capability unit are like those of capa-
bility units IIe-13 and IIIe-13, except that they are
nearly level. iVlthough they are considei'ed to be mod-
erately well drained, they are so nearly level that they
remain wet for rather long periods and are slow to dry
out and warm up in spring. The wetness resulting from
impeded drainage in this climate is more of a problem
than is the control of erosion.
The use of these soils is limited by their impeded drain-
age and also by their rather low fertilit3^ The soils are
used mostly for corn, hay crops, and pasture. Alfalfa
is not well suited unless good drainage can be established,
because the soil tends to heave in cold weather. The most
common cropping systems are either continuous corn or
corn followed b}- hay for 1 year or more.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
09
The preseni uses of those soils :irc prohiihly (lie most
suitable. Hay crops should iuclude tail o-i asses and clovers
that tolerate wetness. The same plants are also suitable
for pasture. Fertility nnist be maintained and lime ap-
plied i'oi- maxinuun productivity.
Kunoll' water from hio-her areas should be diverted
around these soils and away from them. Diversion ter-
races will accomplish part of the draina<^e that is needed,
and the w^ettest spots should have excess water removed
by oi)en V-ty^)e ditches or, in some places, by tile drains.
When the soils are wet they cannot be cultivated and
should not be "grazed. Good grazing cannot be main-
taine<l if animals are allowed to trample the soils to
puddle and compact them. Excluding aninuils when the
soils are wet allows rest periods for the pastures and
helps considerably in maintaining good grazing at otlier
times.
Weeds and some sedges are connnon invaders of ])as-
tures on these soils. They should be kept nnder control
by mowing at proper times.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIw-7
In this unit are nearly level to sloping, somewhat
poorly drained to moderately well drained soils of flood
plains and some upland depressions. The soils of this
unit are —
Chewacla gravelly sandy loam.
Chewacla silt loam.
Largent silt loam.
Lindside silt loam.
Lindside silt loam, local alluvium.
Philo gravelly sandy loam.
Pliilo silt loam.
Warners loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
These soils are present in all parts of the county. They
occupy about 6,800 acres, or 2.3 percent of the county.
These soils are grouped in this capability imit because
they have some hazard of flooding, or because they have
some impeded drainage and some water-control problems,
even if they are seldom or never flooded.
The soils are somewhat more productive and can be
managed more easily than most poorly drained soils,
but they are less productive and less easy to manage than
the well-drained soils of the flood plains.
The greater part of the acreage of these soils has been
cleared, but many small areas are still in forest. These
soils are suitable for crops after the drainage is im-
proved. Some corn is grown, but it generally has to be
planted late because the soil is too wet at normal plant-
ing time. Considerable hay is grown, but the most exten-
sive use is for pasture.
Although management is much the same on all these
soils, there may be considerable difi^erences among the
soils in response to management as measured by produc-
tion. The soils of the Lindside and Warners series are,
on the average, more productive than the soils of the
Chewacla, Largent, and Philo series. The Warners loam,
which is dark colored because of organic matter and con-
tains free lime, is probably the most productive of all
these soils under intensive management.
Internal drainage can be improved by use of open
ditches or tile lines at the proper intei-vals and depth,
by bedding, and by diversion of runoff.
CAl'Al'.lLn y UNIT lis 1
This unit consists of nearly level, dee]j, well-drained,
fine-textured soils that are underlain by limestone. The
soils have little or no erosion hazard, but the fine texture
of the surface layer makes them dillicult to manage and
cultivate. The soils of this unit are —
Bencvola clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Ilagerstown clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Small areas of these soils are in the limestone valley.
They amount to only about 300 acres, or one-tenth of 1 per-
cent of the county.
These soils are much like those of capability unit
IIe-19, except (hat they are practically level and show
little or no effect of erosion. Partly because they are so
nearly level, these soils remain Avet later in spring than
most well-drained soils. The fme texture and sticky con-
sistence also tend to reduce percolation and keep them
wet imtil the water dries out. Erosion is not a hazard
of any importance.
Because the soils are fine textured and sticky, they can
be plowed and cultivated only within a very narrow
i-ange of moisture content. When too dry, they are hard,
and, when too wet, they puddle and clod very easily.
The structure and consistence can be improved somewhat
by keeping the soils in sod crops much of the time, by
growing few crops that need clean cultivation, and by
turning under large amounts of oi-ganic matter from
cover crops, crop residue, and animal manure.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIs-2
In this unit are neai'ly level to sloping, sandy and
gravelly soils of the terraces and valley slopes that have
some hazard of erosion when they are cultivated. The
most important characteristic of the soils for manage-
ment, however, is that they are more or less open and
porous and do not hold moisture well. The soils of this
unit are —
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
Pope gravelly sandy loam.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
These soils occur in small, scattered areas. There are
only 1,050 acres, a little less than four-tenths of 1 per-
cent of the county.
These soils are sandy and gravelly enough so that crops
on them are limited by the supply of moisture during
drought. There is no drainage problem. The sandy Pope
soil is slightly droughty and is further limited by a slight
risk of flooding.
The soils of this capability unit are suitable for all
the common crops, but, because they are rather low in
natural fertility and in moisture capacity, special fer-
tilizing and moisture-conserving practices are needed.
Little alfalfa is grown, probably because of the risk of
drought.
Heavy applications of fertilizer are needed for most
crops. The soils are acid and need lime, but, because
they are sandy, there is some danger of overliming. Lim-
ing should, therefore, be done only after a soil test. On
these and other sandy soils, ground limestone is likely
to be as good as or even better than burned or hydrated
lime, and, if it is applied, there is little danger of over-
liming.
70
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
If the surface is kept covered by vegetation most of
the time, there is little danger of erosion. Crops on these
soils generally respond to irrigation; some orchards are
being irrigated. Sprinkler irrigation is the only suitable
type.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIs-7
This unit consists of nearly level to sloping, well-
drained soils that are moderately deep over shale. Al-
though there is some hazard of erosion, the most signifi-
cant management problem is the maintenance of moisture
and fertility because tlie soils are thin and some\Alial
droughty. The soils of this unit are —
Berks oliaiinery loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin-Berks channery loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These soils occur in the western pai't of the county and
in areas more or less bordering Conocheague Creek.
There are about 6,600 acres, which is 2.2 percent of the
county.
These soils are limited by droughtiness and fertility
problems because they are shallow over bedrock. There
is not enough space in the soil above the bedi'ock to
store large amounts of either available moisture or plant
nutrients. There is also some risk of erosion.
Fertilizer is needed for the full production of crops.
The soils will retain nutrients and moisture in larger
amounts if organic matter is added to the plow layer.
This can be green-manure crops (particularly legamies),
crop residue, such as stubble and cornstalks, and animal
manure. Irrigation is desirable for some crops if water
is available and if irrigation is economically feasible.
These soils are used for general farming and are par-
ticularly well suited to orchards wherever air drainage
is adequate. Sod cover, especially if the seeding mixture
contains legumes, helps to control runoff and to hold
plant nutrients.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-1
In this unit are deep, well-drained, sloping or rolling,
friable soils that have been developed over, or strongly
influenced by, limestone. Erosion has been active, but
the soils hold moisture and plant nutrients well and are
fertile and productive. The soils of this unit are —
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 15 i)ercent slopes, moderately eroded.
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Etowah gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Etowah silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Hagerstown silty clay loam. 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
These soils occur throughout the limestone valley and
in scattered areas in the western part of the county. There
are about 13,100 acres, or 4.4 percent of the county.
The soils of this capability unit resemble, in many ways,
those of capability units I-l and IIe-1, but they are
steeper and need more careful management to control
erosion. Many of the areas are small, and they lie within
fields of more moderate topography. They tend to be
farmed with the same rotation and management that are
employed on more gently sloping soils. The soils of this
capability unit, however, neecl longer rotations with fewer
years in clean-tilled crops ; they need contour farming in
narrower strips; and they need more careful disposal of
water than the soils of capability imits I-l and IIe-1.
The principal crops on these soils are corn, small grains,
hay, and pasture; few areas remain in woodland. The
3-year rotation that is used on the more gently sloping
soils is not protective enough to control erosion. Corn
and a small grain followed by oidy 1 year of hay leaves the
soil exposed too much of the time. A 4-year or 5-year
rotation consisting of corn, a small grain, and 2 or 3 years
of hay, is much more suitable. If hay, especially alfalfa,
can be grown for 4 or more years after corn and small
grain, or after corn, the degree of soil protection is still
better.
Strips for the rotation of crops should be narrow and
carefully laid out on the contour or on a slight grade.
Disposal of water needs to be more carefully done than
on similar soils of lesser slopes. Drainageways must be
more carefully and heavily sodded, must receive more
careful and frequent maintenance, and must have more
durable and safer outlets. As with all soils, fertility and
good tilth must be maintained by proper fertilization and
cultivation and other management practices.
The soils of capability unit IIIe-1 are good soils, and
under good management they are, and will remain, pro-
ductive. Average yields are somewhat less than on soils
of capability units I-l and IIe-1 but are better than
on most of the other capability units of class III.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-4
This unit consists of deep, well-drained, sloping or
somewhat rolling soils that have not been significantly
influenced by limestone. The soils are like those of capa-
bility units 1-4 and IIe-4, but they are more sloping
and, hence, their use is more strongly limited by the
hazard of erosion. The soils of this unit are —
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 5 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Fauquier channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Fauquier silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Highfield gravelly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Holston gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Holston silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Laidig gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Murrill silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Myersville channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Myersville silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Thurmont gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Wayne.sboro gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These soils are chiefly on uplands and terraces through-
out the county, except in the limestone valley. Some of
them lie along the fringes of the valley. They are ex-
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAHYLAND
71
tensive and occupy about 10,450 acres, or 5.6 percent of
the county. These soils are similar, except for stronger
slopes, to the soils of capability units 1-4 and ]le^, but
they need nioi-e careful management and protection.
Many areas of tliese soils :ire small, luid many of tliem
join the similar, but more o-enlly sloping, soils. Man^
fields, however, consist almost entirely of these soils. The
slopes tend to be somewhat longer in Pleasant Valley,
for instance, than in the limestone valley.
Because of the slope and the risk of erosion, rotations
need to be longer and water disposal needs to be done
with more care than on soils of capability unit Ile^.
More of the land should be in hay or pasture. The kinds
of crops are the same as those suited to soils of capability
unit IIe-4. There are large areas of orchards.
The usual 3-year rotation is followed by many farmers,
but it is not likely to protect and maintain the soil well
enough. A rotation that is 5 years in length is preferred
for the soils in this capability unit. A 4-year rotation,
with 2 years of hay, would be better than the simple 3-year
rotation. More land should be in grass-clover pasture.
Hay sod can also be used for pasture in part of the rota-
tion. In some way there should be a decrease in the rota-
tion cj'cle of the time the soil is exposed to erosion. If
these soils are not protected better than they have been,
they will eventually lose much of their productiveness.
Already some areas, once in capability unit IIIe-4, are
now in capability units IVe-3, VIe-2, or even VIIe-2,
because they were damaged by erosion.
Yields are fairly good, but these soils will need better
management than they have received in the past if their
productivity is to be increased or even maintained.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-5
This unit consists of somewhat droughty, gently slop-
ing to strongly sloping, gravelly and sandy soils. The
soils are rather severely limited by the hazard of erosion
when they are cultivated. The soils of this unit are —
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
These soils occur in many parts of the county outside
of the limestone valley. They occupy about 1,700 acres,
or six-tenths of 1 percent of the county.
These soils, in many ways, are like those in capability
unit IIs-2, but they are more strongly sloping and have
been moderately eroded. The soils are sandy and tend
to be droughty. The risk of additional erosion, however,
is the hazard that dominates their capability classification.
The subsoil is generally finer textured than the surface
layer, although both are sandy and gravelly. Fertility is
rather low, and the soils tend to dry out more quickly
than do the finer textured soils.
The usual farm crops are grown on these soils. Some
areas are used for orchards. The soils need fertility im-
provement, water conservation, and, of course, control
of erosion. The cropping system may include a small
grain, but it does not need to do so ; corn 1 year and hay
2 to 4 years is a fairly common rotation. Early vegetable
crops should do well because the soils are well aerated and
easily worked. Without irrigation, the vegetable croj)
should be one (hat will be harvested before the summer
drouglit sets in. With supplemental irrigation, a longer
growing season is possible. Fertilizer is gniatly needed,
and lime should be used judiciously. Jnfoi'mation al^iut
the kind and amount of fertilizer and lime the soil needs
can be obtained from testing the soil, a service that is
available through the county agent's ollice.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-G
This unit consists of only one soil — Terrace escarp-
ments. This soil is on well-drained terraces and bottom
lands that have short, irregular, and, in some places,
steep slopes that are subject to serious erosion if they
are not protected. Some areas are subject to occasional
flooding.
Small areas of this soil are in narrow strips through-
out the county wherever there are flood plains and ter-
races. These narrow strips are on the sides of draws
or in small ravines that cut through terraces or flood
plains; on short, sharp slopes between one level of a
flood plain and another; or on fringes of terraces and
flood plains where they adjoin steep uplands. The total
area of this land is about 350 acres, or a little more than
one-tenth of 1 percent of the county.
The cropping system used on this soil should be much
the same as for soils of capability unit 1-6, except that
a crop rotation should contain more years in hay, pasture
plants, or other close vegetative cover. The steepest areas
should be in close-growing vegetation a great deal of the
time. Such areas are particularly well suited to jierma-
nent meadow strips, even on bottom lands where most of
the adjoining soils are in corn or some other crop. Careful
protection of these areas will help protect the soils on
adjacent bottom lands.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-10
In this unit are sloping to strongly sloping, well-drained
soils that are moderately deep over acid shale or mica
schist and that have been moderately eroded. The soils
of this unit are —
Calvin channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 0 to 20
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
These soils occur in the extreme eastern and extreme
western parts of the county, but not in the limestone
valley. They occupy about 2,900 acres, or 1 percent of the
county.
The soils of this capability unit are similar to those of
capability unit IIe-10, but they are steeper. Both ha^-e
been moderately eroded. These soils are somewhat
droughty. Their moisture-supplying capacity is low or
moderate, and the growth of crops is hindered during
long dry ])eriods.
The soils are used for most of the common crops grown
in the county. They are generally not good for alfalfa,
because of their shallow depth, low fertility, and strong
acidity. '\^nTLerever they have adequate air drainage, they
appear to be fairly well suited to tree and berry fruits.
A crop rotation needs to be longer on these soils, with
more years of hay or other close-growing crops, than on
the soils of capability unit IIe-10. Soil-conserving
measures are needed, and pastures should be well man-
aged and not overgrazed. The 4-year and 5-year rota-
599553—62 C
72
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 19 59, NO. 17
tions that contain extra years of hay will be much
more ell'ective than the common 3-ycar rotation of corn,
grain, and hay. If these soils are ])ro])er]y limed and
fertilized, fairly good clover, mixed hay, and pasture
can be grown. Even with tlie best cropping systems and
management, however, these soils are not highly produc-
tive. Yields can be increased greatly with good manage-
ment, but farmers should not expect yields tliat are ob-
tainable on some of the better soils.
Tillage and farming operations sliould be on the con-
tour, with fairly narrow strips of a row crop or grain.
AVater-conserving terraces can be built in some phxces.
As much of the runolF as possible should be spread on
meadow strips, so that most of the moisture can get
back into the soil. Some runoff is probably unavoidable,
and this should be channeled through well-protected
drains and outlets.
Green-manure crops and cover crops are especially
valuable on soils of tliis capability unit. They will help
to maintain or increase fertility. Animal manure and
ci'op residue are also needed. Pastures should be well
established l)efore they are grazed, and grazing should
be regulated and not overdone. Control of weeds is
especially important in pastures. As a rule, weeds can
be controlled by seasonal mowing.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-13
This capability unit consists of eroded, sloping or
strongly sloping soils that have a tight subsoil that
restricts drainage. Surface drainage is rapid, but inter-
nally the soils are only moderately well drained. The
soils of this miit are —
Buchanan gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Landisburg cherty silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Monongabela gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Monongabela silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Trego gravelly silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These soils are in all parts of the county, except the
limestone valley. They commonly occur in small, scat-
tered areas. The total area is about 1,300 acres, or four-
tenths of 1 percent of the county.
These soils ai^e limited by the hazard of erosion and by
wetness that is caused by impeded drainage. They are
not particularly fertile, so neither present nor poten-
tial production is very high. The soils are suitable for
cultivation, but they are used more for pasture or for
mixed hay than for tilled crops. Some corn is grown,
but little small grain. Alfalfa is not well suited and
tends to heave in winter and spring. These soils are
not well suited to vegetable crops or orchards. Most
areas of these soils, in the agricultural parts of the
county, are used for pasture and meadow. In the moun-
tainous areas, they are mostlv^ still in forest. None of
the soils is in the major valleys of the county.
The soils of this capability unit are intermediate in
many of their characteristics. They are neither well
drained nor poorly drained and neither level nor very
steep. They are seldom free of the risk of erosion, but
few of the areas have been severely eroded. Some of the
soils are rather low in fertility, and none are highly
fertile. Therefore, they need several kinds of manage-
ment, in some degree, at the same time.
Among their requirements, and perhaps (he one of
most import ance, is tlie pre\ ('iit ion of t'ni-t hcr losses of
soil. Control of erosion and imi)rovement of drainage
can well go together. Kimoll from adjacent higher areas
should be intercepted and diverted around these soils if
feasible. Otherwise, runoff should be conducted in strong-
ly sodded waterways through the areas. Certain very
Avet spots can be partially drained by V-type ditches that
dischai'ge into the main drains. Tile drains are not
usually recommended, because most of the soil areas are
not deep enough over the tight subsoil for tile to work
effectively. Contour tillage and, in some places, strip-
cropping can be used on the strongly sloping areas to help
control runoff.
These soils should be plowed and tilled only at long
intervals; generally, the less they are disturbed the better.
No machinery should be used on them, and no gi-azing
shoidd be allowed when the surface layer is saturated with
water. This would puddle and compact the soil and
make it more difTicult to drain and manage. Neither hay
crops nor pasture will be produced economically or in
adequate amounts without attention to soil fertility.
Unless these soils are properly managed and conserved,
they will deteriorate progressively until they are of little
use for any purpose.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-26
The soils of this capability unit are sloping to fairly
steep and are rather severely limited by the hazard of
erosion. They contain pieces of chert and are underlain
by cherty limestone. There ai"e only two soils in this
unit^ —
EUiber cberty loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These soils are on the sides of ridges in the western part
of the county. They amount to about 1,400 acres, or
nearly one-half of 1 percent of the county.
The soils of this capability unit are like those of capa-
bility unit IIe-26, but they are more strongly sloping
and their erosion hazard is more severe. Some areas
are still in forest and some are used for general farming,
but their most important use is for orchards. The soils
are deep, readily permeable, and have a fairly high
moisture capacity. They are not so readily erodible as
many soils that have similar slopes. Air drainage on most
of them is very good.
For general crops, long rotations should be used and
the crops grown in contour strips. Orchards should also
be planted on the contour, and thei'e should be a well-kept
ground cover between trees. Although the fertility may
be at least moderately good, special attention should be
given to the potash level in orchards and to the phosphate
level for all crops.
JNIuch of the rainfall probably will be absorbed by these
soils. Runoff must be disposed of carefully to prevent
erosion. Many cultivated areas have a blanket of chert
fragments on the surface, which gives some protection to
the soil. Close-growing vegetation will augment the
protection against erosion. This combination, together
with contour farming, should provide adequate control
of runoff and erosion.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-30
This capability unit consists of sliallow to (loop, lioavy-
texturod, -well-drained, gently to niodoratcly sloping; soils
that are underlain by limestone. The soils have a fine-
textured surface layer that is thin or very thin because
of erosion. Plowing to a normal depth turns up part
of the heavy, intractable subsoil, which tends to become
puddled an(l cloddy. Tiie (inc-lexturod surface layer and
the severe hazard of erosion make these soils difficult
to manage. The soils of this unit are —
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Corydon clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstown and DnfReld channery silt loams, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Hagerstown clay loam, 3 to 8 percent .slopes, severely eroded.
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These soils ai-e in spots throughout the limestone valley.
There are oidy 1,400 acres, which is less than half of 1
percent of the county.
The soils of this capability unit are like those of capa-
bility units IIs-1 and IIe-19, except that they are more
strongly sloping and some are severely eroded. They
are finer textured than the soils of ca2:)ability unit IIIe-1.
Because of the slope, even where there has been only
moderate erosion, the surface layer in most places is rather
thin. "Wlien the soil is plowed, some of the finer textured
subsoil is almost alwaj'S mixed with the clay loam or
silt loam surface layer.
Because of their texture, these soils are more difficult
to plow and to manage than are those of capability
unit IIIe-1. The soils become puddled and clod easily,
and a good seedbed is difficult to prepare. These soils
should receive lai'ge amounts of organic matter, either
as animal manure or as plant residues. This will help
prevent puddling and the formation of clods and will make
the soil more easily workable over a somewhat wider range
of moisture content.
Except for the differences because of texture of the
surface layer, the soils of this capability unit can be used
and managed much the same as those of capability unit
IIIe-1. Whenever sod crops can be grown in preference
to clean-tilled crops, the chances of maintaining good
tilth will be improved.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-31
This capability unit consists of sloping to strongly
sloping, somewhat excessively drained soils that are
shallow to rnoderately deep over shale or sandstone
materials, which have been somewhat influenced by lime.
The soils are like those of capability unit Ile-il, but
they are more strongly sloping and have a more severe
hazard of ei-osion. The soils of this unit are —
Litz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes.
Litz shaly loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
These soils are in the western part of the county and
on some of the ridges within the limestone valley. They
amount to about 2,200 acres, a little less than eight-tenths
of 1 percent of the county.
The soils of capability unit IIIe-31 contain many flat
fragments of sandstone or large fragments of shale, even
in the surface layer. The fragments are especially numer-
ous where the soils have been plowed and the thin, natural
surface layer has been mixed with tlie more channery
subsoil.
These soils are used for general farming and, to some
extent, for orchards. Fairly large areas are still in
forest. Although these soils are sliallow and droughty,
they are fairly fertile and productive. Erosion is prob-
ably more of a hazard than droughtiness. The soil should
be managed in long rotations that include cover crops
most of the time. Farming sliould be on the contour. The
soils are readily permeable to water, but their capacity
for holding water is low. Co)ise(iuoiitly, there is usually
considerable runoff during and after heavy rains. Rills
develop readily, and, unless checked, will enlarge into
gullies. Diversion terraces and heavily sodded waterways
are needed to control runoff.
Supplemental irrigation, where it can be done, would
benefit the crops on these soils. Some irrigation is done
in orchards on Litz soils in the Hancock area. Irrigation
would have to be of the sprinkler type, and the water
should be applied with great care. Water is not readily
available for many of the areas of these soils.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-32
This capability unit consists of sloping to strongly
sloping, well-drained soils that are moderately deep over
acid shale or sandstone and have a severe hazard of
erosion. The soils are like those of capability unit IIs-7,
except that the hazard of erosion is more of a management
problem than is droughtiness or low fertility. The soils
of this unit are —
Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
These soils are mostly in the far western part of the
comity, but some are in the vicinity of Conococheague
Creek. They amount to about 6,200 acres, or 2.1 percent
of the county.
These soils are similar to the soils of capability unit
IIIe-31, but, because there has been no influence of lime
they are somewhat le.ss fertile and productive, even though
in most areas the soil is a little deeper over the bedrock.
Although large areas are still in forest, some of the
acreage is used for general farming and some for
oi'chards. Practices to combat erosion and droughtiness
should be essentially the same as for capability unit
IIIe-31, but more careful attention is needed for the
maintenance and improvement of fertilit}-. Fertilizer
is needed in large amounts for most crops. Additions
of organic material are especially helpful. The soils
should be limed and fertilized, as indicated by soil tests.
These soils cainiot be made highly productive, but good
management will produce fairly good returns from them.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-44
This capability mut consists of deep, well-drained,
moderately sloping, severely eroded soils. In spite of
the severe erosion that has occurred, there is still a great
enough depth of soil for man}^ crops, particularly deep-
rooted crops that can draw on the usually adequate
74
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 19 59, NO. 17
moisture supply in the deep subsoils. These soils have
not been influenced by lime. They are —
Myersville channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
These soils are mostly in the Pleasant Valley section
and on some old terraces of the Potomac River. They
occupy about 600 acres, or two-tenths of 1 percent of
the county.
These soils became eroded when they were not well man-
aged. Ade({uate erosion control measures should prevent
further deterioration, and the soils can be cultivated
regularly if they are managed propex'ly.
Intensive practices to check further erosion are needed.
Farming should be on the contour, and special care
is needed to dispose of excess water. Strips of crops should
be narrow, and not more than one strip in four should be
clean tilled. A hay crop should be kept on the land at
least 2 years, and preferably longer. Cover crops should
be grown and turned under for green manure. Green-
manure crops, along with large amounts of animal manure,
will improve surface structure and tilth, enable water to
penetrate more rapidly, and decrease the runoff. The
surface layer Avill also be more friable and easily tilled.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIw-1
This unit consists of poorly drained, silty soils of flood
plains, foot slopes, terraces, or depressions. They have
not been influenced by lime. The soils of this unit are —
Atkins silt loam.
Brinkerton silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
Rohrersville silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Tyler silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
Wehadkee silt loam.
The Atkins and the Wehadkee soils occur on flood
plains and ai-e subject to occasional or frequent flooding.
The other soils occur in lipland depressions, on low foot
slopes, or on old river terraces, and usually ai-e not subject
to flooding. These soils are in all parts of the county,
except in the limestone areas. There are about 1,900
acres, or nearly seven-tenths of 1 percent of the county.
These are some of the wettest soils in the county. They
are saturated during most of the winter and spring and
f re(|uently at other times of the year after hea^y rains.
]\Iany areas have been cleared, but in other places there
are gi'owths of willows, alders, birches, and other water-
tolerant trees. The cleared areas are used chiefly for
grazing. With adequate drainage, they can be made
suitable for cultivation. The Brinkerton and Rohrersville
soils in this unit have more continuing limitations after
drainage than the other soils. Under good management,
some fairly good crops are produced, especially on the
Rohrersville silty clay loam. Hay crops, including some
soybeans, and late corn are the most common crops.
Drainage can be improved by the use of V-type ditches ;
tile is generally too expensive for the returns that can be
expected. Diversion terraces will partly protect the
soils from runoff. Danger of flooding can be reduced in
some places by cleaning and straightening channels and
by deepening some of them. Cleaned and straightened
banks should, of course, be sodded to help protect them
from cutting.
ITay and pasture are good uses for these soils. Corn
for silage can also be grown. Prevention of overgrazing
and trampling while the soils are wet is an important
item in their management. Pastures should be grazed only
when tlie surface layer is dry enough that it will not be
puddled or compacted.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIw-2
The only soil in the county in this capability unit is
Melvin silt loam. It is a poorly drained soil of the flood
plains and has been strongly influenced by limestone.
Normally, it is flooded only occasionally.
This soil occurs on flood plains wherever sediment
from limestone areas has been deposited. Most of the
areas, but not all, are within the limestone valley. There
are about 2,000 acres, or seven-tenths of 1 percent of the
county.
The most common use for this soil, without artificial
drainage, is pasture. Areas that can be drained may be
used for corn, hay, and pasture. The soil is of good
fertility and is productive when properly managed. Man-
agement should be much the same as tliat of soils in
capability unit IIIw-1; the yields and economic returns
should be greater.
CAPABILITY UNIT IIIs-2
The soils of this unit are well drained to excessively
drained and are very shallow or shallow over bedrock
of hard shale or mica schist. The Corydon soil is shallow
over limestone. Slopes are gentle to moderate, and,
although there is some erosion hazard, the thinness,
di'oughtiness, and low fertility of the soil are more im-
portant limitations than the risk of erosion. The soils
of this unit are —
Berks shaly silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
Berks shaly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 0 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Corydon clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Hazel channery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Montevallo shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These soils occur in several parts of the county. They
amount to about 5,600 acres, or 1.9 percent of the county.
These soils are shallow and droughty, of low fertility,
and strongly to very strongly acid. They are suitable for
cultivation, but very careful management that includes
conservation of moisture, improvement of fertility, and
the control of erosion are necessary for any reasonable
production. There is not enough soil depth for deep-
rooted crops; in places bedrock is within a few inches
of the surface, and generally it is within 2 feet of the
surface. Close-growing crops should be included in the
rotation and clean-tilled crops grown no more than neces-
sary. Tillage encourages erosion, and there is little soil
to lose. Hay crops and pasture protect the soil, but they
produce little forage during the dry summer weather.
Under the best management, pasture produces fairly well
in spring and in autumn if there is sufficient moisture.
There are some orchards on these soils. They can be
managed without erosion if kept in sod, but production
probably will be low in comparison to that on the better
orchard soils. Irrigation should be especially helpful for
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
75
orchards, annual crops, and for pasture, wherever (here
is water (hat can be developed and used economically.
Subsoiling, or chiseling, is done on some of these soils,
but not on tlio Corydon or Hazel soils, which are under-
lain by very hard rock. A tractor-drawn tool is used to
cut vertically into and througli the soil, and as deep into
the shale rock as the available tools and power permit.
The depth of penetration may average as much as 2 feet,
but in some areas it is less. The shattered shale permits
some surface soil, organic matter, nutrients, and especially
water to penetrate more readily than before. The root
zone is thus deepened ; the amount of water and nutrients
available for plants is increased; and the amount of run-
oft' and erosion are I'educed.
CAPABILITY UNIT IVe-1
This capability imit consists of moderately deep and
deep, rolling to hilly, well-drained soils that are under-
lain by, or were strongly influenced by, limestone. These
soils have been moderately to severely eroded, and are
very severely limited in use by the hazard of erosion.
The soils of this unit are —
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Corydon clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Duffield silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Etowah gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Frankstown and DuflSeld channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Hagerstown silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 20 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
These soils are scattered, generally in small areas,
throughout the limestone valley and in a few spots in the
western part of the county. There are about 3,600 acres,
or 1.2 percent of the county.
Partly because they developed in material derived from
or influenced by limestone, these soils are productive.
They lose productivity rapidly if they are cultivated too
frequently. The slopes are too steep to be used for annual
tilled crops without serious risk of erosion. Some of the
soils already have been severely eroded.
The soils of this capability unit have been and are
being used for general crops, as a rule in fairly long
I'otations. Some areas are in pasture, and they are well
suited to that use. The soils are much better suited to
close-growing hay crops than to clean-tilled crops. Con-
siderable corn is grown, but generally no other row crops.
Some small grains are grown, and there are orchards on
these soils in the western part of the county.
Because many areas of these soils are small, the ten-
dency has been to manage them along with the surround-
ing, more gently sloping soils. It is difficult and some-
times impractical to have a separate cropping system for
these small areas. Many areas of these soils, however.
are in long, narrow strii)s approximately at right angles
to the slope of the land. Tliese strips are well suited to
permanent hay that will not refj^uire rotation, and they
need very lit tle plowing or other tdlage. It is much Ixitter
to have a strip of alfalfa or other permanent hay witliin
a cidtivatod fiehl than to ti-y to include steep or
severely eroded soil in the rotation itself.
If corn or any other clean-cultivated crop must be
planted on tliese soils, it should be only for 1 year in 5 or
more yeai's. Corn should be grown in contour strips with
perhaps a terrace below or above it, or both, if the lay
of the land permits. If the sod strips are kept as per-
manent meadows, they need to l)e plowed and replanted
only when the sod becomes thin.
Although these soils are fertile, they need care to keep
them productive. Excess water must be very carefully
disposed of because of the danger of gullying or sheet
erosion.
CAPABILITY UNIT IVe-8
In this unit are rolling to hilly, deep, well-drained soils
that have not been appreciably influenced by limestone,
but are severely limited in use by the hazard of erosion.
These soils are like those in capability unit IIIe-4, but
they are steeper. The soils of this unit ai-e —
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 15 to 25 percent
slopes.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 20 to 35 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Fauquier channery loam, 20 to 35 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Fauquier silt loam, shallow, 3 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Highfield gravelly loam, 20 to 35 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Holston gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Laidig gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Myersville channery loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
The soils of this unit are present in many parts of the
county. The total area is about 5,000 acres, or 1.7 percent
of the county.
Some of the areas in this capability unit remain in
forest. Most of the others are in hay crops or pastures.
The same crops are grown as on most of the adjacent
soils, which are generally of capability units Ile^,
IIIe-4, or IIIe-44, Avith scattered spots of soils of 1-4.
Orchards are fairly common on some of these soils, par-
ticularly north and east of Smithsburg.
These soils are suitable for long rotations in which they
are clean cultivated only 1 year in 5 or 6 years. Manage-
ment practices are similar to those for the soils in unit
IVe-1. The great difference between these two capability
units is that the soils of this unit are generally less fertile
and productive than those of unit IVe-1. But even if
they do not produce yields so good as those on the lime-
stone-influenced soils, they respond well to good manage-
ment. Most of these soils are especially well suited to
grass-clover pasture.
76
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 195 9, NO. 17
CAPABILITY UNIT IVe-5
This capability unit consists of somewhat droughty,
slo])ing to rolling, moderately or severely eroded, gnvveliy
and sandy soils that are se\erely limited by the hazard
of further erosion. The soils of this unit are —
llolstou gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
iMurrill gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, mod-
er;itely eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 i>ercent slopes,
se\orely eroded.
AViiyiiesboi-() gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
These soils are on old terraces and on foot slopes mostly
near the Potomac lliver. The total area is only 4G2 acres,
a little less than two-tenths of 1 percent of the county.
Like the other soils of subclass IVe, these soils cannot
be cultivated with safety except at long intervals. Rota-
tions sijuilar to those given for soils of capability luiits
IVe-1 or IVe-3 can be used. However, the light, sandy
soils of this capability imit are less productive because
they are somewhat droughty and generally lower in
supply of plant initrients. If local climatic and other
factors are favorable (air drainage is extremely impor-
tant), the soils of this unit are fairly well suited to
orchards.
Whatever the use, these soils must be protected from
erosion. Liberal use of fertilizer and manure is needed
for whatever crop is planted. Irrigation will increase
yields greatly and is probably practical on orchards if
water is available.
CAPABILITY UNIT IVe-9
In this capability unit are strongly sloping to hilly
soils that have a tight subsoil that restricts internal
drainage. External drainage is rapid. These soils have
been moderately eroded and are severely limited by the
hazard of further erosion. They are —
Buclianan gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Monongaliela silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
There ai-e only a few scattered areas of these soils and
they are in the western part of the county. They amount
to i43 acres, or one-twentieth of 1 percent of the county.
These soils have excessive runoff during wet periods;
rain or snowmelt water penetrate them very slowly, be-
cause of the tight subsoil. They are thus especially sub-
ject to erosion. The tight subsoil also causes the soil to
remain very wet after normal, well-drained soils have
dried enough that they can be tilled. Annual crops must
be planted late, after normal seeding time.
For these reasons, if clean-tilled ci'ops are grown, they
should be grown in a long-time rotation with hay crops, or
perhaps with rotation pasture. Pasture should not be
grazed during wet weather, but should be held in reserve
for di'ier times of the year. Pasture may not carry well
through extremely dry weather, because the tight subsoil
limits the moisture-supplying capacity.
These soils must be well managed or they will be
severely damaged by erosion.
CAPABILITY UNIT IVe-10
This cai)al)ilily unit consists of strongly sloping to
hilly, shallow to moderately deep soils that are underlain
by acid shale and mica schist. The soils of this unit are —
Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes.
Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 10 to 20 i)ercent
slopes, ni(^derately eroded.
Talhulega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 10 to 20
percent slopes, severely eroded.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 20 to 30
percent slopes.
These soils are in various parts of the county. They
occupy about 1,070 acres, or six-tenths of 1 percent of the
county.
The soils of this capability unit are shallow or mod-
erately deep, and they contain many fragments of rock.
Most of them are ratiier low in I'eitility and tend to be
di-oughty during periods of low rainfall. They are all
sub ject to a seA ere hazard of ei'osion. The severely eroded
soils are less productive than the others.
A considerable part of the soils not moderately or
severely eroded is still in forest. Most of these wooded
areas are not large. They generally consist of blocks of
trees or of woodlots on fairly steep slopes. The cleared
areas are used mostly for hay crops or for pasture and
some for tree and berry fruits. Enough corn and small
grains are grown, or have been grown, to expose many
areas of these soils to active erosion. Pastures are gen-
erally rather poor and overgrazed.
Tliese soils should be used for tilled crops no more often
than 1 year in about .5, and hay or pasture crops should be
gi-o\\ n the rest of the rotation. iMore tree and beriy fruits
could be planted. Well-sodded and well-managed or-
chards are suitable for the soils in this capability unit.
Because of their limiting features, these soils must be
especially well managed if production is to be maintained
on them. Good management of pasture is especially
needed because these soils cannot normally produce as
much grazing as can the deeper and better soils. The
chance of overgrazing, therefore, is greater.
CAPABILITY UNIT IVe-26
This unit consists of rolling, well-drained soils on
cherty limestone. The soils are very severely limited by
the hazard of erosion. They are-
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slojjes, severely
eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These soils are on strongly sloping ridges in the west-
ern part of the county. They occupy only about 1,200
acres, or four-tenths of 1 jjercent of the county.
These soils are so severely eroded or so strongly slop-
ing that they are very severely limited for use for cul-
tivated crops. Possibly their most intensive, safe use
would be for orchards, which need to be kept in sod or
in cover crops most of the time. Otherwise, they can be
Vised for hay or for carefully controlled grazing. A
clean-tilled crop should be grown only about once in
5 years.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
77
Good niani)<;(MutMit will prevent further excessive loss
of soil. The soils of (his unit are not so readily erodihle
as many others that have similar slopes. They are fairly
open and porous, and the surface layer is generally fairly
well paved with fragments of chert gravel, which mini-
mizes the splashing eil'ects of heavy rainfall. Any crops,
and particularly orchards, should be planted and culti-
vated on the contour. Carefully constructed and main-
tained waterways and outlets should be installed wher-
ever water tends to concentrate.
CAPABILITY UNIT IVe-31
This capability unit consists of rolling to hilly, some-
what excessively drained soils that are shallow over
shale or sandstone and have been influenced by lime. The
soils of tliis unit are very severely limited by the hazard
of erosion. They are —
Litz channcry loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz-Teas chanuery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 15 to 25 i>ercent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
The total area is about 1,800 acres, or six-tenths of 1
percent of the county.
These soils are shallower than those of capability unit
IVe-10, but the shale and sandstone from which they
have been developed were rich in lime. Also, the soils
tend to be somewhat more naturally fertile than those
of capability unit IVe-10.
Because these soils are so shallow, any cultivation, how-
ever limited, must be accompanied by intensive conserva-
tion measures. In most places there is only a little more
than a foot of soil over the bedrock. "Wlien the soils are
properly managed and protected, however, they are
fairly productive. Yields would be greater if supple-
mental irrigation were available during dry periods.
A common use of these soils is for orchards, and this
use is suitable and safe if the orchards are well sodded
and otherwise protected. Clean-cultivated crops should
be grown no oftener than once in about 5 years. Even
then, planting and cultivation should be in contour strips,
with all necessary precautions to check runoff and hold
the soil.
CAPABILITY UNIT IVe-32
In this capability unit are rolling to hilly, somewhat
excessively drained to excessively drained soils that are
shallow or very shallow over acid shale or mica schist.
These soils are very severely limited by the hazard of
erosion and by droughtiness and low fertility. The soils
of this unit are —
Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Berks channery loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Berks shaly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 3 to 20 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 20 to 30 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Calvin .M(»iilcvallo slialy loams, 10 to 20 percent slopes, niod-
eralely eroded.
Hazel cliannery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Montevallo shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
The total area of this unit is about 8,200 acres, or 2.7
percent of the county.
These soils are as shallow as those of capability unit
IVe-;31. They are more strongly acid and usually less
productive. Although they are suitable for limited culti-
vation with proper precautions and good management,
they are of such limited productivity that use other than
for an occasional cultivated crop, hay and grazing, or
orchards will probably give poor returns. Forested areas
should remain in forest. Grazed areas should be protected
carefully from overgrazing and cultivated areas used
seldom for clean-tilled crops, but chiefly for hay.
CAPABILITY UNIT Vs-1
This unit consists of practically level, well-drained,
very rocky soils. The rocks are chiefly outcrops of lime-
stone. These soils cannot be cultivated regularly. If they
are used for pasture or woodland, they are not subject
to deterioration, because their chief limitation is rockiness.
These soils have been mapped as one undifferentiated
unit —
Hagerstown, Corydon, and DufBeld very rocky silt loams,
0 to 3 percent slopes.
These soils are in scattered areas throughout the lime-
stone valley. They amount to 424 acres, a little more than
one-tenth of 1 percent of the county.
These soils are nearly level, fertile, well drained, and
not significantly eroded. They are too rocky, however,
for cultivated crops or for a normal rotation. Some
patches could be used for corn or hay crops, but only by
hand cultivation. Therefore, these soils are limited in
use almost entirely to grazing or to woodland.
The maintenance of a vegetative cover of either pasture
plants or trees will protect these soils from erosion. These
rocky soils make excellent pasture, although either mow-
ing or control of weeds with chemicals is more than
normally difficult. In pasture the control of brush also
may have to be a hand operation, but this will not be
time consuming or difficult if it is repeated at regular
intervals.
These soils are excellent for woodlots if the trees are
protected from fire and from grazing. All of the local
trees will do well if given a reasonably good chance.
CAPABILITY UNIT Vs-2
In this unit are nearly level or very gently sloping,
stony and very stony soils, most of them well drained,
that have not been affected by limestone. Regular culti-
vation is not practical, but the soils have practically no
limitations other than their stoniness. Some spots are
only moderately well drained, and a few areas may be
occasionally temporarily flooded. The soils of this unit
are —
Chewacla stony silt loam.
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Highfield very stony loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Pope stony gravelly loam.
78
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Some areas ol" these soils are on nearly level ridgetops,
and some are on nari'ov^?, stony flood plains. Most of the
areas are on or adjacent to South Mountain. There are
415 acres, or a little more than one-tenth of 1 percent of
the county.
These soils are not suitable for crops or for normal
rolalions because the surface layer is too stony. Stones,
boulcUM's, and some rock outcrops make up about 40
percent of the surface area. This is enough to prevent
modern mechanized farmwork, although some row crops
or hay could be produced by more primitive methods.
The chief ditlerence between these soils and those of
cai)ability unit Vs-1 is that nearly all of the stones are
loose and rounded, and of acid rock material ; in unit Vs-1
they are ledges of limestone. The soils of this cai)ability
unit are also somewhat less fertile than those of capa-
bility unit Vs-1, and will generally yield less pasture
forage or fewer woodland i)roducts. Pastures should be
limed and fertilized, as needed, and weeds and brush
should be controlled. Woodlands should be protected from
burning and from grazing.
CAPABILITY UNIT VIo-1
This capability unit consists of rolling and severely
eroded, or steep and moderately eroded, well-drained,
deep soils that are underlain by limestone. The soils of
this unit are —
Elliber olierty loam, 25 to 4.j ptn-cent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstowu and Uiiflield chaunery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Frankstowu and Duffield chaunery silt loams, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, moderatel.v eroded.
Frederick clierty silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Fredericlv clierty silt loam, 25 to 45 percent sloi)es, moderately
eroded.
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Hagerstown and Duffield silt loams, 25 to 45 pei'cent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Westmoreland cliannery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
These soils are in all the limestone areas of the county.
The total area is about 2,000 acres, or a little less than
seven-tenths of 1 percent of the county.
These are fertile and productive soils, but they are too
steep or have been too severely eroded to be used safely
for cultivated crops. They might produce fairly good
hay, but the crop would be difficult to cut and to cure.
A much safer, and generally better, use is to keep the soils
in permanent sod pasture or in woodland. Properly man-
aged pastures, particularly if they are not overgrazed,
can be among the better pastures of the county. Although
the carrying capacity is not so great as on the soils of
capability units I-l, IIe-1, IIIe-1, and IVe-1, it should
be greater than on any other soils of class VI. The soils
can also be safely used for woodland if protected from
grazing and from fire.
CAPABILITY UNIT YIe-2
This capability unit consists of rolling and severely
eroded, or steep and moderately eroded, well-drained,
fairly deep soils that have not been appreciably affected
by limestone. The soils of this unit are — •
Edgemont and Laidig cliannery loams, 35 to 60 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Holston gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Ilolston gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded.
iNIurriU gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Myersville cliannery loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Myersville cliannery silt loam, 10 to 30 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These soils are in scattered spots in many parts of the
county. There are about 1,200 acres, or four-tenths of 1
percent of the county.
None of these soils can be cultivated witliout undue
loss of soil, even with all the erosion control measures
that could be feasibly carried out. Such crops as corn
or oats could be grown, but only at the e.xpense of losing
the vegetation-supporting upper layers of soil.
Some of the less eroded areas are in forest. The areas
now being cropped are continuing to deteriorate. Some
of the areas are idle and not producing. l*robably a
larger acreage is in pasture than in any other use.
Pasture and woodland are the only really suitable uses
for these soils. Bluegrass does well on most of the soils,
and good pastures can be maintained with careful man-
agement. The chief precaution after sod is established is
to prevent overgrazing. Livestock should be excluded
from these pastures during any summer "brown-out" of
the sod. The soil should be tested regularly and limed
or fertilized as needed. Good pastures will not maintain
themselves on these soils; it takes very good management
to maintain them.
CAPABILITY UNIT VIe-3
In this unit are shallow soils that range from sloping
and severely eroded to moderately steep and practically
uneroded. The soils of this unit are —
Berks shaly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin channery loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes.
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Calvin shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 20 to 30 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes.
Hazel channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Montevallo shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Montevallo shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick .solum variant, 20 to 45
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
These soils are shallower than the others of class VI.
They occupy 7,600 acres, or 2.5 percent of the county.
Tliere is little difference in necessary management be-
tween these soils and those of capability units Vle-1
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
79
and VIe-2. Because those soils are shallow, however, Ihey
(eiul to be more drou<2;h(y. Tims, the (greatest practical
(lilhnvnce is in carrviii<? ca])acity, particularly durinf?
hot, dry weather. (Jrazinii- aiiiinals should not be allowed
on these soils during such periods. Ivow crops and small
grains should not be grown because of the hazards of
drought and erosion.
CAPABILITY UNIT VIw-l
This unit consists of only one poorly drained to very
poorly drained soil mappin<j unit — Dunning and Melviu
silty clay loams. This soil is subject to frequent serious
damage by flooding or overflow. It occupies about 1,900
acres, or six-tenths of 1 percent of the county.
This soil should be kept in permanent vegetation, such
as pasture or woodland. To be of much use as pasture,
it needs artificial drainage. Diversions and waterways
are needed to keep water from adjacent upland soils
from spreading out on this soil. Surface drainage can
be improved by V-type ditches at proper spacing. Spoil
material should be spread away from the ditches, and the
banks and slopes should be protected by sod. Ditches
are especially needed to drain any abnormally wet spots.
Tile drains might work well in some places, but the cost
is likely to be more than the returns would justify.
This soil is also suitable for woodland ; trees should be
of species that tolerate wetness, maless artificial drainage
is to be established.
CAPABILITY UNIT VIs-1
This unit consists of sloping to steep, well-drained,
very rocky soils that are limited both by rockiness and
by hazard of erosion. The rocks are outcrops of limestone.
The soils of this unit are —
Corydon very rocky clay loam, 3 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Duffield very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes.
DuflSeld very rocky silt loam, 8 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstown very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstown very rocky silt loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
These very rocky soils are extensive throughout the
limestone areas of the county. Altogether, they occupy
about 25,500 acres, or 8.6 percent of the county.
The soils of this capability unit are much like those
of capability unit Vs-1, except that they are steeper or
have been more severely eroded. Because of the rockiness,
slope, and risk of erosion, cropping these soils would be
entirely impractical. Nearly all of the areas have been
cleared, and most of them are used for pasture. Erosion
was generally a result of overgrazing, which destroyed
some of the soil-protecting sod between the outcrops of
limestone. The soils are naturally fertile, however, and
responsive to treatment so that sod can be readily reestab-
lished and maintained with proper management.
Where practical, some of the rock should be removed.
Bluegrass or other gra.sses along with suitable <;lovers will
make excellent pasture sod. Lime may be needed, and
some fertilizer almost certainly will be needed. These
piactices, along with control of weeds and the prevention
of overgrazing, should result in very good pastures on
soils tliat are suitable for this use but for little else
except woodland.
CAPABILITY f.MT Vis 2
This capability unit consists of gently sloping to moder-
ately steep, very stony soils that are well di'ained and not
affected by limestone. The uses of these soils are limited
both by stoniness and by some hazard of erosion. The
soils of this unit are —
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 5 to 35 percent slopes.
Fauquier very stony loam, 5 to 35 percent slopes.
Ilighfield very stony loam, 5 to 30 percent slopes.
Laidig very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes.
Myersville very stony loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
These soils are mostly on South Moiuitain and on Elk
Ridge, although some areas are in the western part of
the county. There are about 16,500 acres, or 5.6 percent
of the county.
Stoniness is the chief limiting characteristic of these
soils. If they were not stony, the gently and moderately
sloping soils would be suitable for cultivation. Most of
the areas are forested, but some are cleared and used for
pasture. Practically none of the cleared land is cultivated.
A good use for these soils is woodland, and the areas
now forested should probably remain so. Forests yield
timber and give good protection for watersheds and for
wildlife areas.
Cleared areas make fairly good pasture, however, if
they are properly managed. Wliere practical, some of
the stones should be removed, and the soils should be
treated with appropriate amoimts of lime and fertilizer
and seeded to bluegrass or orchardgrass with one or
more of the clovers. Overgrazing of pastures should be
avoided, particularly before grasses and clovers are well
established. Even after sod is established, overgrazing
is the greatest hazard. Control of weeds and brush may
be somewhat difficult on these soils, but it must be carried
out if pastures are to be kept in first-class condition.
Areas of cleared land, not intended for pasture, should
be reforested. All forests should be protected from graz-
ing; protection of newly planted or restocked forests is
particularly needed. Fires should be prevented also.
CAPABILITY UNIT VIIe-1
This unit consists of very steep or very severelj' eroded
soils that are underlain by limestone. The soils of this
unit are —
EUiber cherty loam, 45 to 55 percent slopes.
Eroded land, limestone materials.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
These soils are m the limestone valley and on some
ridges in the western part of the county. The total area
is about 800 acres, a little less than three-tenths of 1
percent of the county.
80
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Allliough these very steep soils or very severely eroded
soils arc iiiliereiitly fertile, no attempt should be made
to use them for crops or pasture. Forested areas should
remain forested, and all cleared areas should be reforested.
Obtaining a stand of seedlings may be dillicult, but, once
the trees are established, they should make fairly rapid
growth. Timber operations may be diflicult, and econom-
ically they may not be practical. The establishment of
permanent cover, however, whether economically feasible
or not, will furnish watershed protection and at least
some possibility of return. All forested areas should be
fenced to keep grazing animals out. These forested areas
make good wikUife cover, especially if they are bordered
by hedgerows of seed-producing grasses or shrubs.
CAPABILITY UNIT VIIe-2
This iniit consists only of very severely eroded land
types. The two general kinds of land are —
Eroded land, grcoustone materials.
Eroded land, sandstone and (luarlzite materials.
There are 322 acres of this capability unit. This is
one-tenth of 1 percent of the county.
These eroded lands have been cleared and farmed, and
the farming has resulted in exceptionally severe erosion.
The soils are acid to very strongly acid, unlike those of
capability unit VIIe-1. These areas should not be culti-
vated; they are too eroded and most of them are too
steep even for grazing. Thus, they are of little use in
agriculture, except for forests, watershed protection, and
wildlife cover. Forests probably will be poor. Some areas
may reforest themselves if they are fenced and protected
from grazing and fire; others coidd be replanted. With
proper protection, such refoi'ested areas are likely to
become more valuable than they possibly could under any
type of farming.
CAPABILITY UNIT VIIe-3
This unit consists of very steep or severely eroded,
shallow soils. The soils of this unit are —
Berks soils, ridges, 20 to 45 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Berks soils, ridges, 30 to 60 percent slopes.
Calvin channery loam, 4.1 to 60 percent slopes.
Calvin shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 30 to 60 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 20 to 45 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 30 to 60 percent slopes.
Eroded land, shale and schist materials.
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Hazel channery silt loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes.
Litz shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 45 to 60 percent slopes.
Montevallo shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded.
These soils are in almost all parts of the county, except
in the limestone valley. Altogether, they occupy about
11,400 acres, slightly less than 4 percent of the county.
These soils are not suitable for crops. Because of their
many adverse characteristics, they cannot be recommended
for either hay or pasture. Some of the least eroded, very
steep spots are still in forest. All the severely eroded and
very severely eroded parts were once cultivated. Most of
these eroded areas are now either in very poor pasture or
lying idle; they are still deteriorating and will con-
tinue to do so while they do not have the protection of
a complete and undisturbed vegetative cover. For protec-
tion of the land below them, they should be reforested.
CAPABILITY UNIT VIIs-1
This unit includes all severely eroded, very rocky soils ;
all very steep, very rocky soils; and all extremely rocky
soils of the county. Rockiness is the result of massive
outcrops of limestone. The soils of this unit are — ■
Corydon extremely rocky clay loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes.
Dullield extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes.
Erankstovvn extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 25 percent slopes.
Frankstown extremely rocky silt loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes.
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Hagerstown extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstown extremely rocky silty clay loam, 0 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown extremely rocky soils, 25 to 45 percent slopes.
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Hagerstown very rocky soils, 45 to 55 percent slopes.
Rocky eroded land.
These soils are located wherever there are limestone
outcrops, but most of them are in the great limestone
valley. The total area is about 17,500 acres, or 6 percent
of the county.
These soils have fairly high natural fertility. They are
too rocky and many of them are much too severely eroded
to be managed, e\en for pasture. Some areas might fur-
nish very limited grazing but not enough to be of any
practical importance.
Because of their inherent fertility, these soils could
support good woodlots if they were planted with suitable
kinds of trees and carefully protected from fire and graz-
ing. Timber operations will be very diflicult on some of
the steep and extremely rocky areas, but forestry is still
the best economic use of the soils. Good woodland cover
will also provide an excellent habitat for many types of
wildlife.
CAPABILITY UNIT VIIs-2
In this unit are all the shallow, very stony soils and all
the steep, very stony soils of the county. All are under-
lain by acid rocks ; none are influenced by limestone. The
soils of this unit are —
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams, 0 to 25 percent
slopes.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams, 25 to 45 percent
slopes.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams, 45 to 60 percent
slopes.
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 0 to 25 percent slopes.
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes.
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 35 to 60 percent slopes.
Highfield very stony loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes.
Laidig very stony loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Myersville very stony loam, 30 to 55 percent slopes, eroded.
Stony rolling land.
Most of these soils are on South Mountain or on Elk
Ridge. The total area is about 9,700 acres, or 3. .3 percent
of the county.
Although these soils are vei\y ston}^ and some of them
are steep, they are all suitable for some kind of forest.
They are not good forest soils, but they should produce
some timbei\ The soils would furnish no substantial
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
81
economic return in any oilier !i<i:i-icul( mal use. There is
no good reason for clearing any of the areas for fanning.
Removal of timber products should be selective while
the land remains in forest. JNIost of these soils are in
State or National forests and parks. This is an excellent
use for them.
CAPABII.ITY UNIT VIIIs-1
This capability unit consists of only one soil mapping
unit, which is Stony steep land. It is too rough, stony,
and steep for any agricultural use. There are 2,713 acres
in the county, or nine-tenths of 1 percent of the total
area.
Parts of these areas have a cover or partial cover of
trees and shrubs. They nnist be considered in class VIII,
however, because the production of timber or other forest
products is not and never will be a feasible economic
operation. Most of these areas furnish good cover for
wildlife and are so located that they furnish sites for
hiking, camping, picnicking, and other forms of recre-
ation. Thus, although this land has no use in agricultiu-e,
it is of considerable importance to the citizens of the
county.
Use of Soils for Woodland
Washington County is in that part of eastern United
States where the forests are dominated by hardwood
trees. "\'\niile some conifers, probabl}' redcedar, white
pine, Virginia pine, and hemlock, undoubtedly grew
there when the county was first settled by Europeans,
there is no historical reason to believe that any of them
existed in even fairly pure stands.
Practically no truly a- irgin forests remain in the county.
However, a few small tracts have been observed that
show no evidence of having been altered by the activities
of man or domestic animals. At the time this soil survey
was made, there remained a total of about 84,000 acres
of woodland in the county; this is about 28 percent of
the county. According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture,
there were 31,029 acres of woodland in farms in 1954. H
can be assumed that the other forests (about 63,000
acres) are on public lands or on other areas not classified
as farm holdings. Farm woodlands decreased by some
3,000 acres between 1949 and 1954.
The value of commercial timber cut from private lands
in 1949 was $18,500, and the yearly average from 1952
through 1956 was $88,500 according to the Marjdand
Department of Forests and Parks. The increase in
yearly value is because of a small increase in volume and
a much larger increase in unit values. In 1954, about
one-fourth of the income derived from the sale of timber
products came from famis, and the rest, from nonfarm
areas. Considerable volumes of small forest products
are cut and sold or used on the farm by landownei'S who
do not report them. Increased interest in woodland man-
agement and higher timber prices indicate that the an-
nual values of timber and other woodland products
should increase.
In the main, the remaining foi'ests of Washington
County are in the mountainous areas and in the ridge and
valley section west of Fairview Mountain. There are no
signilicani remaining forests either in the great valley or
in Pleasant Valley on the better soils of those areas.
Trees are growing on some once-cultivated lands that be-
came so severely eroded or otherwise detei-iorated that
they were abaiuloned and allowed to revegetate naturally.
There are four general kinds of forests in the county.
One kind is old-growth hardwood forest. Another is
forest on well-drained uplands that has bec^n cut over
one or more times. A third kind is forest that grows in
poorly drained areas; and the fourth is forest that grows
where abandoned fields and pastures are reforesting
naturally.
Old-groioth hardwood forests. — These forests are al-
most all on large farms and estates. Their total acreage
is small. The dominant trees are white oak, red oak,
and chestnut oak. 'J'here are some yellow-poplar, locust,
and hickory trees, and a few black walnut trees.
These forests have not been exploited because, to their
owners, their esthetic or sentimental value is greater than
the value of the timber. Many of the trees are mature
or overmature. Under proper forest management, the old
trees should be marketed to make space for the growth
of younger trees.
Cutover forests on well-drained sites. — Most of the
forests in the comity are of this kind. Oaks are dominant,
and the secondary trees are elm, hickory, locust, maple,
and dogwood. On some of the thinner and more droughty
soils, there is some shortleaf pine and, in a few places,
some Virginia pine. Most of the farm woodlots, which
vary greatly in composition and condition, are included
in this kind of forest.
Most of these cutover forests get little protection from
fire or grazing. Besides their value for producing timber,
these forests are valuable for watershed protection and
for wildlife shelter.
Forests on poorly drained sites.- — These forests gi'ow
on poorly drained soils of the uplands and on some of the
terraces and flood plains along streams. Almost all of
them have been cut over. The species of trees are different
from those in the cutover forests of drier sites. Pin oak
and scarlet oak are the common species, but the stands
include hickory, swamp maple, and other maples, some
elm, birch, and willow. Some areas have an undergi-owth,
and others have nearly pure stands of species, such as
alder, that have no economic value.
These forests are of little economic importance. They
furnish some fenceposts, and most of them are good wild-
life shelter. Many have been thinned so that pastures
could be developed and only enough trees have been
left to provide shade for livestock.
Forests in abandoned fields. — Most of these forests are
in fields that were no longer cultivated because they be-
came too eroded to support crops or good pastures. Under
natural revegetation, the first plants to become establish-
ed are sassafras, persimmon, and hawthorn, blackberry,
and other shrubs. In time, these are followed by oak,
hickory, dogwood, locust, and other trees. In some places
stands of Virginia pine and shortleaf pine have become
established.
These forests should receive regular forest management.
Areas that are still in the brushy stage should be planted
with valuable species of trees.
82
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Relationships of soils and forests
Soils vary in their ability to produce trees, just as they
do in their ability to produce crops. Trees grow better
on the soils that contain some lime than they do on the
soils that are entirely acid. Soils that are no longer pro-
ductive for crops or pasture are likely to be less produc-
tive of ti-ees than they were before they were cleared.
Ditierences in elevation and climate also affect the growth
of trees.
In Washington County differences in slope, elevation,
and climate have significant effects on the growth of
trees, but differences in soils probably have stronger
effects. Sandy and somewhat droughty soils are more
suitable for germination of the seed of Virginia pine than
for the seed of hardwood trees. As a seedbed, severely
eroded soils that have much of the subsoil exposed are
inferior to uneroded soils that have friable, granular
surface soil. On deep, permeable soils the windthrow
hazard is less serious than on shallow soils.
Soils affect the ease of harvesting timber and the
hazards involved in logging. Some areas are too steep
and too rough even for temporary roads for logging
vehicles. In these areas logs generally can be skidded
out by cables. Few forests in the county are extensive
enough to justify building permanent access or logging
roads. Temporary roads should be built as nearly as
possible on the contour, because most of the sloping
upland soils erode readily. To prevent gullying, the
I'oads should not be allowed to become rutted.
Trees have significant effects on the soils of forested
areas, especially on the surface layer. Under a good stand
of hardwood trees in an ungrazed upland area, there is
generally a cover of leaf litter 2 inches or more thick.
The litter slows runoff', tends to keep the surface laj'er
friable, and allows rainwater and snowmelt to soak in.
As the litter decays or is consumed by earthworms or
other animals, plant nutrients are added to the soil. The
litter under pine trees is more acid, contains fewer plant
nutrients, and has less beneficial effect on the surface
soil than the litter of hardwoods.
Reforestation
Soils that are well suited to crops and pasture generally
are also well suited to forests. However, only soils no
longer productive for crops or pasture are likely to have
greater value for forest rj'.
The soils that are steep or severely eroded should be
given priority in any reforestation program. They will
probably give greater returns from forest products than
from any other use, and, in addition, the trees protect the
soils. Because severely eroded soils generally are not the
best forest sites, help should be sought from the district
forester assigned to the county whenever reforestation
is considered.
Soil groups for forestry
This section contains a grouping of the soils of Wash-
ington County according to their suitability for woodland.
Mixed oaks were used as the index trees in making the
grouping because they are the most common forest trees
of the county. Most of the soils in the county are classified
as excellent sites for mixed oaks. Some soils are rated
as good, and others are rated as medium or poor. Group
Fl, the excellent sites for mixed oak trees, consists of
deep soils that have no real impediment to the penetration
of roots. The good sites include some soils that are fairly
shallow over bedrock or that have a claypan or siltpan
that hinders the deep peneti'ation of roots. Medium sites
include the shallow soils. Poor sites are the soils not
suitable for growing oak trees because they are excessively
steep, rough, very shallow, or eroded.
Soils have been listed in woodland suitability groups by
giving names of the soil types. Some further statements
about slope and degree of erosion are given to indicate
placement of the mapping units that are sloping or eroded
phases of soil types, and still further information is
given about the influence of a southern exposure on
ratings of the sloping soils. In general, a slope greater
than 25 percent, or a southern exposure, reduces the
site value of a good soil by one or two groups. All very
severely eroded soils, and severely eroded, shallow soils,
are in the lowest site group.
Woodland suitability groups of soils in the county
and the soils in each group are given in the following
list. Except as noted for six poorly drained soils in
group Fl, the soils have been rated for production of
the mixed oak trees that were common in the native
forests.
Soil group Fl. — Excellent soils for woodland. They
can produce high yields of good quality forest crops and
are suitable for intensive forest management if well
stocked. Poorly drained soils in this group are not suit-
able sites for mixed oak trees, and their rating is based
on the production of pin oak.
Ashton fine sandy loam.
Atkins silt loam (poorly drained).
Benevola clay loam.
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams.
Brinkerton silt loam (poorly drained).
Chewacla gravelly sandy loam.
Chewacla silt loam.
Cliewacla stony silt loam.
Congaree silt loam and gravelly loam.
Duffleld silt loam.
Duffield extremely rocky silt loam.
Duffield very rocky silt loam.
Dunmore cherty silt loam.
Dunning and Melvin silty clay loams (poorly drained).
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams.
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams.
Elliber cherty loam.
Etowah gravelly loam.
Etowah silt loam.
Fauquier channery loam.
Fauquier silt loam.
Fauquier very stony loam.
Frankstown extremely rocky silt loam.
Frankstown very rocky silt loam.
Frankstown and DuflSeld channery silt loams.
Frederick cherty silt loam.
Hagerstown clay loam.
Hagerstown extremely rocky silt loam.
Hagerstown extremely rocky silty clay loam.
Hagerstown silt loam.
Hagerstown silty clay loam.
Hagerstown very rocky silt loam.
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam.
Hagerstown, Corydon, and DuflBeld very rocky silt loams.
Hagerstown and DuflBeld silt loams.
Highfield gravelly loam.
Highfield very stony loam.
Holston gravelly loam.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
83
Holston gravelly sandy loam.
Holstoii silt loam.
Hunt iiifltoii lino sandy loam.
Huntington tii'avolly loam.
Huntington silt loam.
Uuntington silt loam, local alluvium.
Laidig gravelly loam.
Laidig very stony loam.
Largent silt loam.
Lindside silt loam.
Lindside silt loam, loeal alluvium.
Melvin silt loam (poorly drained).
Murrill gravelly loam.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam.
Murrill silt loam.
Myersville eliannery loam.
Myersville ebaunery silt loam.
Myersville silt loam.
Myersville very stony loam.
I'hilo gravelly sandy loam.
Philo silt loam.
Pope Hue sandy loam.
Pope gravelly loam.
Pope gravelly sandy loam.
Pope silt loam.
Pope stony gravelly loam.
Rohrersville silty clay loam (poorly drained).
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant
Terrace escarpments.
Thurmont gravelly loam.
Warners loam.
Waynesboro gravelly loam.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam.
W'ehadkee silt loam (poorly drained).
Westmoreland channery silt loam.
Soil group F2. — Good soils for woodland. The rate
of growth is not so rapid as on the excellent soils, but it
will justify fairly intensive management. Wood pi'oducts
of high quality can be grown.
Berks channery loam, ridges.
Berks shaly silt loam.
Berks silt loam, ridges.
Buchanan gravelly loam.
Calvin channery fine sandy loam.
Calvin channery loam.
Calvin shaly loam.
Calvin-Berks channery loams.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam.
Corydon clay loam.
Corydon extremely rocky clay loam.
Corydon very rocky clay loam.
Fauquier silt loam, shallow.
Hagerstown extremely rocky soils.
Hagerstown very rocky soils.
Landisburg cherty silt loam.
Leadvale gravelly silt loam.
Monongahela gravelly loam.
Monongahela silt loam.
Trego gravelly silt loam.
Tyler silt loam.
Southern slopes of 25 percent or more of soil types listed in
group Fl.
Soil group F3. — Medium soils for woodland. These
soils will grow fairly good timber, but growth is slow.
Berks soils, ridges.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams.
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams.
Hazel channery silt loam.
Litz channery loam.
Litz shaly loam.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams.
Montevallo shaly loam.
Slope phases of 40 percent or more of soil types listed in
group F2.
Soil group F4. — Soil.s and land types that are pooi- tor
woodland. The growth rate, especially of hardwood trees,
is very slow.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams.
Kroded land, greenstone materials.
lOroded land, limestone materials.
lOroded land, sandstone and quartzite materials.
Eroded land, shale and schist materials.
Rocky eroded land.
Stony rolling land.
Stony steep land.
Southern exposures of slope i)hases of 40 percent or more,
of soil types listed in group F2.
All severely eroded phases of soil tyi)es listed in group F.3.
All southern exposures of soil types listed in group V'.i.
Unfortunately, the soils that need reforestation the
most urgently are those that make the poorest woodland
sites. These soils are also the most difficult ones on which
to obtain a stand of trees. This is particularly true be-
cause the seedlings of most hardwood trees, including
oaks, are difficult to transplant and the rate of survival
is low. Growth is irregular and very slow on tlie soils
of groups F3 and F4.
Red oak and black walnut can be planted by direct
seeding. Black walnut, in particular, needs a good soil
and is most likely to be successful on the deeper soils
of group Fl. Because of the difficulty of establishing
hardwoods, in general, most of the planting that is done
should be of pine trees. According to information sup-
plied by the Maryland Department of Forests and Parks,
the best returns in Washington County, based on cords
of wood produced, will be obtained from plantings of
white, shortleaf, loblolly, and Corsican pines.
Although the county is outside the natural range of
loblolly pine, this species may prove the most profitable
for planting, particularly on sites where there is plenty
of moisture. On very droughty and eroded sites, Virginia
pine is probably the most suitable species for planting.
Although it is of less economic importance than the other
pines mentioned, it will survive on poorer sites. It will
at least furnish good vegetative protection for the land
and will provide a better habitat for wildlife than the
idle, unoccupied land.
It is not the purpose of this report to give a detailed
account of forest management, either as it is being, or
should be, carried out. The purpose is chiefly to point
out the soils on which forestry, including reforestation,
might be an economic enterprise. The local district for-
ester should be consulted on planting, management, and
other details of forestry operations either on a farm or
on a more extensive woodland.
Economic return is not the only benefit to be derived
from forests. Forests should be left, or should be planted,
to protect the headwaters of streams; to reduce runoff
and thus help to control floods and conserve the lands not
in forests; to furnish protective cover and food for wild-
life; to maintain public and private recreational areas;
and for other reasons that cannot be measured directly in
dollars and cents. Not the least of these is the esthetic
reason, merely to maintain and enhance the beauty of
the landscape of Washington County.
84
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 195 9, NO. 17
Engineering Uses of Soils'
This part of the soil survey report for Washington
County is intended to be a guide to physical soil properties
and to the influences of such properties on problems re-
lated to engineering. It is generally recognized that the
soil is a primary resource in agricultural production, but
it is not so widely realized that soils are of great im-
portance in many kinds of engineering practices and
projects. We cannot build a road, excavate a basement,
lay a waterlino or other pipeline, install a septic tank,
build a terrace or diversion ditch, or create an artificial
pond without confronting problems created by the nature
of the soil. How can we best use the soil material that
is encountered, and how will the nature of the soil
affect the job at hand?
The facts on which this section is based were obtained
by close examination of soils in the field, and by evalua-
tion of tlie physical characteristics exhibited in relation
to some engineering needs. The evaluations were verified
by some laboratory analyses. Extensive testing was not
done in Washington County, but many interpretations
were based on physical analyses of the same kinds of
soil elsewhere, particularly in neighboring Frederick
County (7). In this way, careful estimates were made
of some physical properties of the soils of Washington
County.
It is not intended that these data be used directly for
engineering design. These facts and estimates are at best
a guide; engineering design should be based on field
surveys and the analysis of samples from construction
sites. For example, this repoi^t will show tliat the subsoil
of Tyler silt loam is not suitable for fill material to sup-
port heavy loads. This report will also show that the
subsoil of Etowah gravelly loam is suitable for earthern
dams for small ponds. However, it will not show just
how good any particular spot of the Etowah subsoil will
be for building a dam; tests will be necessary to de-
termine this. The soil map, moreover, does not show
the small inclusions of different soils that are pi'esent
in some of the mapping units. For example, within an
area of Holston soil, which is a source of good fill mate-
rial, there can Ije in a wet spot or in an old channel a very
small area of the Tyler soil. It is too small to map but
should be avoided in searching for fill material.
Engineering descriptions and physical properties
The significant phj'sical properties of Washington
County soils are given in table 6. The table lists the
names of soils and the symbol for each soil on the accom-
panying detailed soil map, except the complexes, miscel-
laneous land types, and some stony or steep soils. Table 6
also describes the soils and gives the engineering classifica-
tion of each significant horizon of each soil. Items not
important in engineering, such as color, are not included.
The descriptions do include such items as the general
profile characteristics, the kind of parent material or
" By Earle D. Matthews and Kendall P. Jarvis. Mr. Jarvis is
State conservation engineer for Maryland and Delaware, Soil
Conservation Service.
oilier substratum, drainage characteristics, depth to
\vat('r table and to bedrock where these are known and
significant, and presence of gravel or stones.
Table 6 also lists the estimated physical properties of
the soils, by major horizons. Major horizons of all the
soils of a series are much alike unless there has been a
great deal of erosion. Unless otherwise specified, the
physical characteristics and the soil descriptions apply to
comparatively uneroded and nonstony soils, but there are
notes on the degree of erosion, stoniness, content of gravel,
and other items. Thickness of the soil horizons varies
somewhat from place to place. Thicknesses given in the
table, as well as the other properties, are those actually
existing in a specific profile that is a model representative
of the soil being described and characterized. On severely
eroded soils, there will be little, if any, of the original
surface soil remaining; in such severely eroded soils, the
underlying horizons will be closer to the eroded surface
than indicated in the table.
Soil textural classes of the United States Department
of Agriculture are defined in the Soil Survey Manual (9).
The Unified classification (10) was developed at
Vicksburg Waterways Experiment Station by the Corps
of Engineers, U.S. Army. In this system soil material
is put in 15 classes that are designated by pairs of letters.
These classes range from GW, which consists of well-
graded gravel, gravel and sand mixtures, and a little fine
material, to Pt, which consists of peat and other highly
organic soils.
Many highway engineers classify soil material accord-
ing to the AASHO method (1). This method was
adopted by the American Association of State Highway
Officials. In this system soil materials are classed in seven
principal groups. The groups range from A-1, consist-
ing of soils that have high bearing capacity, to A-7,
consisting of clayey soils having low strength when wet.
Soil interpretations for engineering
Table 7 lists some important features of each soil of
Washington County as they affect different kinds of
engineering work. These interpretations are made from
table 6, from various test data, and from field experiences
of engineers and others. Any soil may be well suited
to one engineering purpose but poor or even unsuitable
for some other purpose. For instance, soils of the Dun-
more series should be fair for disposal of effluent from
septic tanks, poor or only fair for road subgrade, and
good as a source of topsoil. Soils of the Litz series
should be poor for the disposal of sewage effluent, good
for road fill and subgrade, and only fair as topsoil.
Individual soil features will also have various inter-
pretations. A fragipan layer within the subsoil generally
indicates suitable sites for ponds or reservoir areas, but
poor materials for embankments or dams; it greatly in-
creases the difficulty of providing adequate drainage, and
limits the adaptability of the soil for irrigation. The
purpose of table 7 is to suggest indicators of either good
or hazardous features that may be of help in planning,
engineering design, or construction.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
85
Tlio interpretalioiis in table 7 are general but will point
out what the engineer can expect to encounter in any soil
area that is shown on the detailed soil jnap. However,
they cannot give exact soil properties and evaluations of
the soil at the exact points where engineering projects
may be planned, and, as stated elsewhere, many of the
mapping units contain spots of difTerent or even of con-
trasting soils that are too small to be shown at the scale
of mapping.
Soil groups for irrigation
The annual rainfall in Washington County is normally
adequate in amount for the crops grown, but there are
periods when it is not well distributed during the grow-
ing season. Because there are frequent, rather extended
periods of soil moisture deficiency between June and
September, many crops, including hay crops and pasture,
will suffer. If adequate irrigation systems and water
supplies were readily available during such periods, re-
ductions in crop yields, as in the summer of 1957, could
be prevented.
This section of the report arranges the better agri-
cultural soils into groups, according to common char-
acteristics, which would show significant results from
conservation irrigation. Conservation irrigation simply
means applying tiie needed amounts of irrigation water,
with minimum waste of water and damage to soil, to
maintain productivity at a high level. All irrigation
herein considered is sprinkler irrigation.
The following information is not intended to be a guide
for sprinkler irrigation design. Such a guide has been de-
veloped by engineers of the Soil Conservation Service
for use in Maryland. In this discussion the soils will be
arranged in significant groups of fairly uniform char-
acteristics, and for each group certain questions about
irrigation will be answered. How deep should the soil
of different groups be irrigated for different types of
crops ? How much water should be applied on each group
for each crop, and how fast can it be applied without
waste or damage? The answers to these questions will
help in establishing the feasibility of irrigation for the
various soil groups and will give some basic information
useful in designing irrigation systems for conservation
irrigation.
Wlierever conservation irrigation is practiced, it should
be part of a complete farm program of soil and water
conservation. Because irrigation is expensive, it can be
used economically only on productive soils on which
production can be assured or increased. Proper manage-
ment of such soils will include liberal fertilization, ade-
quate liming, and good rotations or other cropping sys-
tems that will control erosion, minimize leaching, maintain
good soil tilth, and furnish a supply of organic matter.
For these reasons, only soils considered suitable for
regular cultivation are included in the irrigation soil
groups. These soils are suitable for more or less con-
tinuous cultivation with the kinds and intensities of
management appropriate in each case.
Land to be irrigated advantageously must have good
drainage. However, in addition to the soils of the county
that are well diaiiied, some only modci-atcly well drained
soils are included in the irrigation soil groups. Such
soils will need adequate artificial drainage before they
iire suit able for ii-rigal ion. Soils lliat arc sonic.wliiil poorly
(Iniiiicd or poorly (hiiined are omitted in the irrig;ilion
soil group, as are all severely eroded soils.
A common mistake of new irrigators is to overextend
the use of the available water supply. An adequate water
supply must be available if irrigation is to be successful.
The water supply should be adequate to maintain the
soil at a moisture level, or a series of moisture levels, that
will yield the greatest return for the funds invested in
irigation. The ordinary farm pond will not supply
sufficient water for irrigation, except perhaps for very
small home gardens.
Water may be obtained from wells, streams, or res-
ervoirs. A permit to drill an irrigation well or construct
a pond or reservoir must be obtained from the State
Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources,
located at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. That
department can also supply information on ground water
possibilities for most areas of the State. It is good practice
to have a test well drilled to determine if an adequate
water supply is available.
Only streams with sustained or continuous flow during
extended periods of drought can be used as sources of
w\ater for irrigation. The streamflow should be measured
during periods of drought to determine if sufficient water
is available at such times. A surface reservoir must have
a storage capacity large enough to meet crop needs during
the irrigation season, including losses caused by evapora-
tion and seepage. As a general rule, from one-half to
1 acre-foot of storage is recommended during the irriga-
tion season for each acre to be irrigated. If the reservoir
can be refilled between irrigations, then the capacity need
only be large enough to provide one application.
Quality of water must also be examined. If there is
any question about suitability of water, samples should
be sent to the State Soil Testing Laboratory, Agronomy
Department, University of Maryland, College Park. This
laboratory will analyze water for acidity, salt content,
or other constituents that might be harmful to crops. If
surface runoff water is used for irrigation, it should not
be collected from areas contaminated by plant disease
organisms that could be harmful to the crops to be
irrigated.
Laws and regulations govern the use of water from
streams and wells. A landowner does not own all of
the water in the stream that flows through his land. Land-
owners who plan to appropriate water for irrigation
from channelized streams should obtain information re-
garding their rights from qualified sources, before in-
vesting in equipment.
Some locally adapted crops are indicated under each
irrigation soil group. Irrigation soil groups are defined
in table 8, and the soils included in each group are listed.
Tomatoes and Irish potatoes are listed separately, but
all other truck crops are shown simply as of truck-crop
groups 1, 2, or 3.
86
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 19 59, NO. 17
Table 6. — Brief description of soils
Soil name
Dept h to
season-
ally high
water
table
Depth to
bedrock
Brief description of site and soil
Ashton fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 i)ercent slopes.
Atkins silt loiim_
Benevola clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
BiMiovola clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Berks channcry loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Berks channery loam, ridyies, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Berks channery loam, ridses, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Berks shaly silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
Berks shaly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Berks shaly silt loam, S to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Berks shaly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Berks soils, ridges, 20 to 45 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Berks soils, ridges, 30 to 60 percent slopes
Brinkerton silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
Buchanan gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes.
Buchanan gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Buchanan gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Buchanan gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin channery fine sandy loam, 3 to 10
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin channery loam, 3 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin channery loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes.
Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin channery loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes.
Calvin channery loam, 45 to 60 percent slopes.
See footnotes at end of table.
Feet
4
0-1
Feet
(')
(')
3-6
3-6
3-6
0-4
2-3
2-3
0-2
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-3
0-2
2-3
0-2
0-3
(')
3 2
(')
3 2
(')
3 2
(')
3 2
(')
2-4
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-3
Well-drained, deep soils on low terraces; devel-
oped in old alluvium derived from limestone.
Subject to very infrequent flooding.
Poorly drained soils on flood plains; of recent
alluvium derived from acid shale and sand-
stone. Very wet; fairly frequently flooded.
Well-drained upland soils developed in residuum
from highly sandy limestone. Variable depth
to bedrock, with occasional outcrops. Se-
verely eroded areas have a CH (A-7) surface
layer.
Well-drained to somewhat excessively drained,
shallow upland soils developed in residuum
from acid shale, in many places with sand-
stone. Channery loams have sandstone frag-
ments in the surface layer; shaly silt loams
have shale; silt loams have little shale in the
surface layer. All Berks soils have abundant
shale in the subsoil and the substratum.
Severely eroded soils have lost 6 to 12 inches
of the original soil, and in some places there
are many gullies, some to bedrock.
Poorly drained soils of draws and depressions,
developed in old local colluvium and alluvium
from acid shale areas. Very wet.
Moderately well drained soils on gravelly coUu-
vial deposits of acid sandstone and some acid
shale material. Moderately wet.
Somewhat excessively drained, rather shallow,
upland soils developed in residuum from red-
dish, acid shale and sandstone. Physical
properties given are for Calvin channery
loam. The channery fine sandy loam has an
SM to GM surface layer. The shaly loam
lacks sandstone fragments. Severelj' eroded
soils have lost 6 to 12 inches of the original
soil, and in places have many gullies, some to
bedrock.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
and their estimated physical properties
87
USDA textural class
Fine sandy loam
Loam, fine sandy loam, or
silt loam.
Gravelly loam
Silt loam
Silty clay loam
Gravelly sandy clay loam
Clay loam
Clay or clay loam
Gravelly fine sand
Hard, sandy limestone
Engineering classification
Unified
Channery loam
Shaly silt loam
Fragmented shale-
Hard shale
Silt loam
Shaly silty clay loam
Clay
Gravelly loam
Silty clay loam to clay
loam.
Gravelly loam
Channery loam
Fragmented shale
SM.
ML.
GM.
ML-
CL,
GC-
AASHO
A-2 or A-4.
A-4
CL.
CH.
SP-
SM or ML
SM or ML.
GM
ML
CL
CH
SM or GM
CL
GM
GM
GM
A-2.
A-4-
A-6.
A-2.
A-6.
A-7-
A-3.
Percentage passing
sieve —
No. 4
A-2 or A-4
A-4
A-2
A-4
A-6
A-7
A-2 or A-4
A-6
A-2
A-2
A-2
Percent
100
100
50
100
100
50
100
100
85
90
75
20
100
85
100
70
90
60
60
35
No.
10
Percent
100
95
30
100
100
40
100
100
80
80
60
10
No.
200
Percent
40
55
20
75
80
25
85
90
5
100
75
100
60
85
50
50
25
45
45
5
Selected characteristics significant in engineering
Range in
permeability
Inchet per hour
0. 6-2. 0
0. 2-2. 0
0. 6-2. 0
0. 6-2. 0
0. 06-0. 2
0. 06-0. 2
0. 2-0. 6
0. 2-0. 6
2. 0-6. 3
Reaction
0. 6-2. 0
0. 6-2. 0
75
70
95
40
65
30
25
10
0. 2-0. 6
0. 02-0. 06
0. 0-0. 02
0. 6-2. 0
0. 06-0. 6
0. 06-0. 2
0. 6-2. 0
2. 0-6. 3
pll
6. 1-7. 3
6. 1-7. 8
7. 4-8. 4
5. 6-6. 5
5. 1-5. 5
4. 5-5. 0
6. 6-7. 3
6. 6-7. 8
7. 4-9. 0
Dispersion
High.
High.
Moderate.
Moderate.
High
Low
Low
High
5. 1-5. 5
4. 5-5. 0
4. 5-5. 0
5. 6-6. 0
6. 1-6. 5
5. 6-7. 3
4. 5-5. 5
4. 5-5. 0
4. 5-5. 0
4. 5-5. 5
4. 5-5. 0
Moderate-
High
Moderate
Low
Low to high.
Shrink-swell
potential
Low.
Low.
Very low.
Low.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate.
None.
Low.
Low.
None.
Low.
Moderate.
Very high.
Low.
Moderate to
high.
Low Moderate.
High-
Moderate to
high.
High
Low.
Low.
Verv low.
88
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 195 9, NO. 17
Table 6. — Brief description of soils and their
Soil name
Depth to
season-
ally high
water
table
Feet
Feel
2-3
\ )
2-3
(^)
1-2
(^)
2-3
(^)
2-3
(^)
3-4
(^)
3-4
(^)
3-4
{')
3-4
1-2
0)
1-2
(')
1-2
(')
4
(')
Depth to
bedrock
Brifif description of site and soil
Calvin shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 jxTcent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Calvin shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes.
Calvin shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam,
0 to 10 percent slopes.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam,
3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam,
10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Chandler silt loam and channerj' silt loam, 20
to 30 j)ercent slopes.
Chewacla gravelly sandy loam
Chewacla silt loam
Chewacla stony silt loam
Congaree silt loam and gravelly loam.
Corj-don clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Corydon clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Corydon clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Corydon extremelj' rocky clay loam, 0 to 15
percent slopes.
Corydon very rocky clay loam, 3 to 45 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams,
0 to 25 percent slopes.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams,
25 to 45 percent slopes.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams,
45 to 60 percent slopes.
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 0 to 25
percent slopes.
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 25 to 45
percent slopes.
DufReld extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 15
percent slopes.
DufReld silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Duffield silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, se-
verely eroded.
Duffield silt loam 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Duffield very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes.
Duffield very rocky silt loam, 8 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
See footnotes at end of table.
(2)
(^)
1-3
1-3
1-3
0-3
0-3
(2)
2-4
(^)
2-4
(^)
2-4
(^)
2-4
(^)
2-4
(2)
0-6
(^)
4-7
(^)
4-7
(2)
4-7
(^)
2-6
(-)
4-7
0-6
0-6
Well-drained to somewhat excessively drained,
shallow, upland soils developed in residuum
from mica schist. Physical properties given
are for Chandler channery silt loam. Chandler
silt loam has a few schist fragments in the
surface horizon.
Moderately well drained soils of flood plains, of
recent alluvium from crystalline rocks. Phys-
ical properties given are for Chewacla silt
loam. The gravelly sandy loam is SM
throughout. The stony silt loam is about 20
to 40 percent stone. Moderately wet to sea-
sonally very wet.
Well-drained, deep soils of flood plains, of recent
alluvium from crystalline rocks. Areas are
either silt loam or graveOy loam. Physical
properties given are for silt loam. Gravelly
areas contain 20 to 30 percent gravel in the
ML horizon.
Well-drained, shallow to moderately deep, up-
land soils developed in residuum from lime-
stone. Physical properties given are for
Corydon clay loam, which has some rock out-
crops. Rock outcrops cover 25 to 40 percent
of the surface of the very rocky clay loam, and
40 to 90 percent of the extremely rocky clay
loam.
Excessively drained, upland soils developed in
residuum from quartzitic sandstone (Dekalb),
or from coarse-grained sandstone (Leetonia),
or from acid red sandstone (Lehew). Physical
properties given are for Dekalb. Lehew and
Leetonia generaUj' have less coarse skeleton,
and in places are SM instead of GM to bed-
rock.
Well-drained, deep, upland soils developed in
residuum from interbedded shale and lime-
stone. Physical properties given are for
Duffield silt loam. Rock outcrops cover 25
to 40 percent of the very rocky silt loam, and
40 to 90 per cent of the extremely rocky silt
loam. Severely eroded soils have lost the
original ML surface layer and are CL
throughout.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
estimated physical properties — Continued
89
USDA textural class
Engineering classification
Unified
AASHO
Percentage passing
sieve —
No. 4
No.
10
No.
200
Selected characteristics significant in engineering
Range in
permeability
Reaction
Dispersion
Shrink-swell
potential
Percent
Percent
Percent
Inches per hour
Channery silt loam
Very channery silt loam..
Silt loam
Gravelly sandy loam.
ML or MH.
GM
A-4 or A-5.
A-2
ML.
SM.
A-4.
A-2.
Silt loam
Gravelly loam.
ML.
GM.
A-4_
A-2-
Clay loam
Hard limestone.
CL.
A-6.
80
55
100
85
100
60
100
75
35
100
65
100
45
100
65
15
75
35
70
30
85
0. 2-2. 0
0. 6-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 06-0. 6
0. 6-2. 0
2. 0-6. 3
0. 06-0. 6
4. 5-6. 0
4. 0-5. 0
4. 5-5. 5
4. 0-4. 5
6. 1-6. 5
5. 1-5. 5
6. 1-6. 5
Moderate to
high-
Moderate.
Moderate.
High.
Moderate.
Very stony sandy loam
Hard quartzitic sandstone.
GM.
A-1 or A-2.
30
20
15
2. 0-6. 3
4. 0-5. 0
High.
Silt loam
Silty clay loam.
ML_
CL.
A-4
A-6 or A-7.
100
100
95
95
70
80
0. 6-2. 0
0. 06-0. 6
6. 1-7. 3
5. 6-7. 3
Moderate.
Low to
moderate.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Moderate.
None.
Low.
Moderate.
90
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 6. — Brief description of soils and their
Soil name
Depth to
season-
ally high
water
table
Depth to
bedrock
Brief description of site and soil
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Dunning and Mclvin silty clay loams.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 0 to
12 percent slopes.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 5 to
20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
p]dgemont and Laidig channery loams, 20 to
35 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 35 to
60 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 0 to
5 percent slopes.
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 5 to
35 percent slopes.
Edgemont and Laidig very stony loams, 35 to
60 percent slopes.
Elliber cherty loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Elliber cherty loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Elliber cherty loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Elliber cherty loam, 45 to 55 percent slopes...
Etowah gravelly loam,
Etowah gravelly loam,
moderately eroded.
Etowah gravelly loam,
moderately eroded
Etowah gravelly loam,
moderately eroded.
Etowah silt loam, 0 to
Etowah silt loam, 3
moderately eroded.
Etowah silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
0 to 3 percent slopes. .
3 to 8 percent slopes,
8 to 15 percent slopes,
15 to 25 percent slopes,
3 percent slopes
to 8 percent slopes,
Fauquier channery loam, 0 to 5 percent
slopes.
Fauquier channery loam, 5 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Fauquier channery loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Fauquier channery loam, 20 to 35 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Fauquier silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Fauquier silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Fauquier silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Fauquier silt loam, shallow, 3 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Fauquier verj' stony loam, 5 to 35 percent
slopes.
See footnotes at end of table.
Feet
0-1
Feet
5-8
5-8
(')
3-5
\ J
3-5
(')
3-5
(')
3-5
(')
3-5
{')
3-5
(')
3-5
(')
o~0
(')
3-5
(')
3-5
(')
3-5
4 +
(')
4 +
(')
4 +
(')
4 +
(')
4 +
(')
44-
(')
5 +
5 +
5 +
{')
5 +
(')
5 +
(')
5 +
(')
5 +
{')
2
(')
1-6
Well-drained, deep, upland soils developed in
residuum from cherty limestone.
Either poorly drained (Melvin) or very poorly
drained (Dunning) soils of flood plains, of
recent alluvium from limestone areas. Physi-
cal properties given are for Dunning; very wet;
fairly frequently flooded.
Either Edgemont channery loam or Laidig chan-
nery loam. Properties and depths given are
for Edgemont: Well-drained upland soils de-
veloped in residuum from quartzitic sand-
stone. Very stony tj'pes in some places con-
tain as much as 40 to 50 percent stones.
Well-drained upland soils developed in residuum
from cherty limestone. There are occasional
outcropping ledges of limestone.
Well-drained, deep soils on high terraces, of
very old alluvium from limestone areas.
Physical properties given are for gravelly
loam; silt loam is nearly free of gravel in the
uppermost 3 feet of the surface layer.
Well-drained, deep, upland soils developed in
residuum from metabasalt. Physical prop-
erties given are for channery loam; silt loam
has the same essential properties but con-
tains fewer stone fragments; the shallow
phase is about 2 feet deep over bedrock;
very stony loams contain 40 to 50 percent
stones, and are variable in depth to bedrock.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
01
estimated physical properties — Continued
USD A texluial class
Cherty silt loam.
Cherty silty clay loam.
Clay
Silty clay loam to fine
sandy clay.
Gravelly coarse sandy
loam.
Channery loam
Channery sandy clay loam.
Hard quartzitic sand-
stone
Engineering classification
Unified
ML-
CL.
CH-
CL.
SM-
SM.
SC-
Cherty loam
Cherty silt loam
Gravelly loam
Gravelly silty clay loam
Very gravelly coarse
sandy clay.
Channery loam or silt
loam.
Channery silty clay loam..
Silt loam
AASHO
A-4.
A-6.
A-7-
A-6 or A- 7.
A-2
A-2 or A-4.
A-4 or A-6.
Percentage passing
sieve —
No. 4
Percent
85
70
85
100
80
80
85
SM.
ML
ML
CL.
GC.
ML or MH
CL..
MH.
A-4
A-4
A-4
A-6
A-4
A-4 or A-5.
A-6 or A-7.
A-5 or A-7-
90
85
85
90
65
No.
10
Percent
75
65
80
100
50
55
65
75
75
75
80
55
90
90
95
85
85
90
No.
200
Percent
65
55
75
80
30
40
50
Selected characteristics significant in engineering
Range in
permeability
Inches per hour
0. 6-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 06-0. 6
0. 06-0. 2
6. 3 +
0. 6-6. 3
0 2-2.0
40
55
50
60
45
60
75
85
0. 6-2. 0
0. 6-2. 0
0. 6-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 2-0. 6
0. 2-2. 0
0. 06-0. 6
5. 1-6. 0
Reaction
pll
5. 1-6. 5
6. 1-6. 5
4. 6-5. 5
6. 6-7. 8
7. 4-7. 8
5. 1-6. 5
5. 1-5. 5
5. 6-6. 5
5. 1-5. 5
5. 6-6. 5
6. 6-7. 3
6. 6-7. 8
5. 6-7. 0
5. 1-6. 5
5. 1-6. 0
Dispersion
Low to
moderate.
Moderate.. -
Low
Moderate to
high.
Moderate
Low to
moderate.
High
High to
moderate.
Moderate...
Low
Moderate
Low
High
Sh rink-swell
potential
Low.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate to
high.
None*
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Low to moder-
ate.
Moderate.
Moderate.
92
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 6. — Brief description of soils and their
Soil name
Depth to
season-
ally high
water
table
Depth to
bedrock
Brief description of site and soil
Frankstovvn and DufRold channery silt loams,
0 to 3 percent slopes.
Frankstovvn and Duflicld channery silt loams,
3 to 8 percent slojjes, moderately eroded.
Frankstovvn and DufTield channery silt loams,
0 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Frankstovvn and Diif field channery silt loams,
8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstovvn and Duffield channery silt loams,
8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Frankstovvn and Duffield chaimery silt loams,
15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstovvn and Duffield channery silt loams,
15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Frankstovvn and Duffield channery silt loams,
25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstovvn and Duffield channery silt loams,
25 to 45 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes..
Hagerstovvn clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Hagerstovvn clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Hagerstovvn clay loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderatel}' eroded.
Hagerstovvn clay loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Hagerstovvn extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to
25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn extremely rocky silty clay loam,
0 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn extremely rocky soils, 25 to 45
percent slopes.
Hagerstow^n silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Hagerstovvn silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes.
Hagerstovvn silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn silty clay loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn siltj' clay loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn v'ery rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn very rocky silt loam, 15 to 45
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn verj' rocky silty clay loam, 3 to 15
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstovvn very rocky silty clay loam, 8 to
15 percent slopes, severely eroded.
See footnotes at end of table.
Feet
(»)
(')
(0
(»)
(')
0)
(')
(')
{')
{')
C)
(')
i")
(»)
(»)
(»;
{')
(')
(^)
0)
(^)
(')
(')
(»)
(')
(')
(»)
{')
Feet
0-5 +
0-5 +
2-4
0-5 +
2-4
0-5 +
2-4
0- 5 +
2-4
4-6
4-6
2-5
4-6
2-7
2-7
1- 6
2- 7
1- 6
2- 7
1- 6
0-7
0-7
0-5
2- 7
2-7
2-7
2-7
2-7
2-7
2-7
2-7
0-7
0-7
0-7
0-6
Either Frankstovvn or Duffield channery silt
loam. Physical properties given are for
Frankstovvn channery silt loam. DufTield
channery silt loam fias physical properties
like those given for Duffield silt loam, except
that it contains more coarse skeleton. Se-
verely eroded soils will be CL from surface to
parent material.
Well-drained, deep, upland soils developed in
residuum from cherty limestone. Severely
eroded soils have lost the original ML horizon
and are CL almost to the surface.
Well-drained upland soils developed in residuum
from fairly pure, massive limestone. Very
irregular depth to bedrock, with occasional to
extremely abundant outcrops of hard lime-
stone. Physical properties given are for the
silt loam. The clay loams have a CL surface
layer. Limestone outcrops cover 40 to 90
percent of the surface of the extremely rocky
phases, and 25 to 40 percent of the very rocky
phases. Severely eroded soils have lost most
of the original surface layer, and have occa-
sional to frequent gullies.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
estimated physical properties— Continued
93
USDA textural class
Channery silt loam
Channery silty clay loam.
Fragment(!d shale
Shaly cherty limestone. .
Cherty silt loam
Cherty silty clay loam
Cherty clay loam to clay.
Silt loam
Silty clay loam.
Silty clay to clay..
Silty clay loam
Massive limestone.
Engineering classification
Unified
ML.
CL.
GM.
ML.
CL.
CH.
ML.
CL.
CH.
CL.
AASIIO
A-4.
A-6-
A-2.
A-4.
A-6.
A-7.
A-4.
A-6.
A-7.
A-6.
Percentage passing
sieve —
No. 4
Percent
85
70
25
85
95
95
98
100
100
95
No.
10
Percent
80
65
20
80
85
90
95
100
100
90
No.
200
Percent
60
55
10
60
70
80
75
85
90
80
Selected characteristics significant in engineering
Range in
permeability
Tnchet per hour
0. 6-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 6-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 06-0. 2
0. 6-2. 0
0. 06-0. 6
0. 06-0. 2
0. 06-0. 2
Reaction
5. 6-6. 0
5. 1-6. 0
5. 6-6. 0
5. 1-6. 5
4. 0-5. 0
6. 6-7. 3
5. 1-7. 3
5. 6-6. 0
5. 6-6. 5
5. 6-6. 5
DisiKTsioii
Low to mod-
erate.
Low to mod-
erate.
Moderate to
high.
Low to
moderate.
High
Moderate...
Low to
moderate.
Low
High
Slirink-swoU
potential
Low.
Moderate.
None.
Low.
Moderate.
High.
Low.
Moderate.
High.
Moderate.
94 SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 6. — Brief description of soils and their
Depth to
Depth
season-
from
Map
Soil name
ally high
Depth to
Brief description of site and soil
surface
symbol
water
bedrock
(typical
table
profile)
Feet
Feet
Inches
UI DO
n n
llazel cnaiincry silt loam, 0 to lu percent
(■*)
1 o
Very shallow, excessively drained, upland sous
0-24
slopes, moderately eroded.
developed in residuum from liard, very
TTazel channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent
{')
1 O
1 —Z
resistant phyllite. The severely eroded soils
24 +
slopes, moderately eroded.
consist of about 12 inches of soil over bedrock.
HnC3
Hazel channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent
{')
1
slopes, severely eroded.
HnD2
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent
{')
1-2
slopes, moderately eroded.
HnD3
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent
0)
1
slopes, severely eroded.
HnE
Hazel channery silt loam, 30 to 45 percent
(')
1-2
slopes.
noD
TT- 1 c 1 1 11 1 n * c * 1
iiigiineld gravelly loam, 0 to o percent slopes.
f2\
(V
T~> U A • A 1 ^ -1 1 1 J •
JJeep, well-drainea, upland soils developed in
U— OD
noDZ
Highficld grav(^lly loam, 5 to 10 percent
A A
residuum from metabasalt or greenstone.
slopes, moderately eroded.
Phy.sical j^roperties given are for the very
OA
OD— 0^
n 01^/
Highfield gravelly loam, 10 to 20 percent
{')
stony loam, which has 20 to 40 perc(*nt of the
slopes, moderately eroded.
surface area occupied by ston(!s or boulders.
HoE2
Highfield gravelly loam, 20 to 35 percent
0)
4-6
The gravelly loam is essentially the same,
slopes, moderately eroded.
except that it is gravelly instead of very
HpB
Highfield very stony loam, 0 to 5 percent
{')
4-6
stony.
slopes.
HpD
Highfield very stony loam, 5 to 30 percent
{')
4-6
slopes.
HpE
Highfield very stony loam, 30 to 45 percent
(')
4-6
slopes.
U A
n rA
Holston gra^'(Miy loam, 0 to o percent slopes
4 +
('J
Well-drained, deep soils on high terraces, of very
A O /l
Holston gra\'elly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
A 1
4 +
v)
old alluvium from shale and sandstone areas.
moderatelj' eroded.
Physical properties given are for the silt loam.
24-37
n rv^z
Holston gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
A t
4 +
( }
The gravelly loam is ess(?ntially the same.
07 AO _L
moderately eroded.
except that the surface layer contains about 20
u .-no
n rUz
Holston gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent
4 +
percent waterworn gravel. The gravelly
slopes, moderately eroded.
sandy loam is SM throughout and contains
n rUi
Holston gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes,
4 +
(v
considerable gravel. Severely eroded soils
severely eroded.
have lost up to half the original solum.
W .-FO
n rt-Z
Holston gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes,
A 1
4 +
moderately eroded.
U e R
nsD
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent
4 +
r)
slopes.
HsC2
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent
4 +
(')
slopes, moderately eroded.
HsC3
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent
4 +
(')
slopes, severely eroded.
HtA
Holston silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
4+
0)
HtB2
Holston silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
4 +
(')
moderatel}' eroded.
xi-oisLuii sub loam, o lo id percent slopes.
4 +
en
\ )
moderately eroded.
Hu
Huntington fine sandv loam.
4
(')
Well-drained, deep soils of flood plains and up-
0-48-1-
Hv
Huntington gravelly loam
4
(')
land depressions, of recent alluvium from areas
Hw
Huntington silt loam.
4
(')
of limestone-derived soils. Physical properties
Hx
Huntington silt loam, local alluvium .
4
(')
given are for the silt loam. The gravelly loam
contains about 20 percent waterworn gravel.
The fine sandy loam is SM or ML throughout.
La A
T -A- 11 1 nil
Laidig gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Well-drained soils developed in gravelly to stony
LaB2
Tjaidiff f?r.TVpllv loRm ^ to 8 nprfpnt stnnps
84-
cnllnvijil dpnrmit^ nf mifirtzitic sandstono
moderately eroded.
materials. Physical properties given are for
38-90-1-
LaC2
Laidig gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
8 +
(')
the gravelly loam. The very stony loam has
moderately eroded.
up to 40 percent of the surface occupied by
LaD2
Laidig gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
8 +
(')
stones.
moderately eroded.
LbD
Laidig very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes..
8 +
0)
LbE2
Laidig very stony loam, 15 to 45 percent
8 +
(')
slopes, moderately eroded.
See footnotes at end of table.
VVASllINUTON COUNTY, MAKVLAXI)
9.")
estimated physical properties — Continued
USDA Icxtiinil fhiss
Channprj- ^ilt loiuii.
Hard pli\ llite
Loam to liuht silt loam.
Grave^lly silt loam.
Hard metabasalt..
Silt loam.
Gravelly silty clay loam.
Very gravelly sandy clay
loam.
Silt loam.
Gravelly fine sandy loam
Fine sandv clav loam
Engineering classification
Unified
GM.
ML..
Gi\r.
ML
CL.
GC.
AASHO
A-2.
A-4_
A-2.
A-4
A-6
A-2
ML.
SM.
SC.
A-4.
A-2.
A-2.
Percentage passing
sieve —
No. 4
Percent
50
95
60
No.
10
Percent
40
90
45
95
80
60
100
80
100
85
75
45
No.
200
Percent
30
65
30
65
60
25
Selected characteristics significant in engineering
Range in
permeability
Indies per hour
0. 6-6. 3
0. 2-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 6-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 2-0. 6
100
70
95
80
30
35
Reaction
pii
5. 1-6. 5
4. 5-5. 5
5. 1-5. 5
4. 5-5. 5
4. 5-5. 0
4. 0-4. 5
0. 2-2. 0
0. 2 6. 3
0. 2-0. (i
Dispersion
High to
moderate.
Low to high.
High
High to
moderate.
Low
High
6. 6-7. 3
4. 5-5. 5
4. 5-5. 0
High to mod-
erate.
High to mod-
erate.
Moderate
Shrink-swell
potential
Low.
Low to
moderate.
Low.
Low.
Moderate.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low.
599553—62 7
96
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 6. — Brief description of soils and their
svinbol
Roil
Landisburp; cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Landisbvirfi cherty silt loam, 8 to 25 i)erc<Mit
slojjes, moderately eroded.
Largeiit silt loam _
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes.
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 i)erceiit
slopes, moderateU' erodefl.
Lindside silt loam _ .
Liiuiside silt loam, local alluvium
LcB2
LcD2
Le
LgA
LgB2
Lm
Ln
LoB2
LoC2
LoC3
LsB
LsB2
LsC2
LsC3
LsD2
LsD3
LsE2
LsE3
LsF
LtB
LtC2
LtC3
LtD2
LtD3
LtE2
Me
MeB2 Monongahela gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
lgC2 Monongahela gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
MhA Monongahela silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes_.
MhB2 Monongahela silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
MhC2 Monongahela silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
MhD2 Monongahela silt loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
See footnotes at end of table.
T.itz channerv loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Tiitz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Litz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
T.iitz shaly loam, 0 to 10 j)ercent slopes
Litz shaly loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderateh' eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderatel\' eroded.
lAtz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 20 to 30 i)ercent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, se-
verely eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 30 to 45 i)ereent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes, se-
verely eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 45 to 60 percent slopes
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 0 to 8 percent
slopes.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 15 to 25 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 15 to 25 per-
cent slopes, severely eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 25 to 45 per-
cent slopes, moderatel}- eroded.
Mehin silt loam
Depth to
season-
ally highD
water
table
Feel
3 1
epth to
bedrock
Feet
(■)
3 ]
2
(')
(')
3 2
(')
(')
1-2
(')
\ )
1 -'>
if\
Kv
1 •>
1-z
{')
1
(^)
1-2
C-)
1-2
{')
1-2
{')
1 ■
(')
1-2
{')
1
{')
1-2
{')
1
(')
1-2
(')
1-2
{')
1-2
{')
1
{')
1-2
{')
1
{')
1-2
0-1
(')
3 2
(')
3 2
(•)
3 2
(')
3 2
(■)
3 2
(')
3 2
0)
Brief descri|)lion of site and soil
Moderately well drained soils developed in
colluvial deposits of cherty limestone material.
Moderately wet.
Moderately well drained soils of flood plains, of
recent alluvium from acid red shale and sand-
stone material. Moderately wet.
Moderately well drained soils developed in
gravelly colluvial deposits of acid shale
material. Moderately wet.
Moderately well drained to somewhat poorly
drained soils of flood plains and upland
depressions, of recent alluvium from limestone-
derived soils. Moderately wet; occasionally
flooded.
Somewhat excessively drained to excessively
drained, sluillow upland soils developed in
residuum from limy shale, or sometimc^s
limestone. Physical properties given are for
Litz shaly loam. The channery loams contain
large, flat fragments of coarse skeletal
material. Severely eroded soils have lost at
least half of the original soil material above
bedrock.
These areas are mixtures of Litz channery silt
loam and Teas channery silt loam that could
not be separated on the maps at the scale
used. Physical properties given are for Teas
channery silt loam. The Teas soils are some-
what excessively drained to excessively
drained upland soils developed in residuum
from lim.v shale and sandstone. Severely
eroded soils have lost at least half of the orig-
inal soil material above bedrock.
Poorly drained soils of flood plains, of recent
alluvium from limestone-derived soils. Very
wet; occasionally flooded.
Moderately well drained soils of high terraces,
of very old alluvium from acid shale and sand-
stone materials. Physical properties given
are for the gravelly loam. The silt loam
contains very little gravel above a depth of
about 50 inches.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
!i7
estimated physical properties — Continued
USDA tcxiuinl class
Cherty silt loam
Cheity clay loam to clay
Silt loam
Fine sandy loam
Gravelly silt loam
Channery silty clay loam.
Silt loam
Gravelly loam
Shaly loam
Very shaly silt loam
Shale and some limestone
l']n"iii('('rin": classificat ion
Unified
Channerv silt loam.
Fragmented shale and
sandstone.
Hard shale and sandstone.
Silt loam
Silty clay loam
Gravelly loam
Gravelly silty clay loam
Very gravelly loam
ML
CL or CH.
ML
SM
AASHO
ML_
CL.
ML,
GM.
ML_
GM.
ML
GM to GP_
ML.
CL.
ML.
CL.
GM
A-4
A-6 or A-7.
A-4
A-2
A-4.
A-6.
A-4.
A-2.
A-4.
A-2_
A-4
A-2 or A-1.
A-4
A-6
A-4
A-6
A-2
P(TC(;iitage passing
sieve —
No. 4
Percent
80
75
100
100
85
80
55
85
60
80
25
100
100
80
80
55
No.
10
Percent
70
70
95
95
75
75
95
40
80
45
75
15
100
100
70
75
40
No.
200
Percent
55
05
60
25
60
65
80
25
55
30
50
10
80
85
55
60
25
Sclcclid ( iKir.ii lcrislics f-i((nificaiil in cngifieeriiig
Range in
permeability
Inches per hour
0. 06-0. 6
0. 02-0. 2
0. 2-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 2-2. 0
0. 02-0. 2
0. 06-0. 6
0. 06-0. 6
0. 6-2. 0
0. 6-2. 0
Reaction
pll
4. 5-5. 5
4. 5-5. 0
Dispersion
5.
6-
6.
5
5.
6-
6.
0
4.
5-
-5.
5
4.
5-
-5.
5
6. 1-7. 9
7. 9-8. 4
4. 5-5. 5
5. 1-5. 5
0. 6-2. 0
5. 6-6. 5
0. 2-0. 6
0. 06-0. 2
0. 2-0. 6
0. 02-0. 06
0. 2-0. 6
7. 4-8. 4
7. 4-8. 4
5. 6-6. 0
4. 5-5. 0
4. 0-4. 5
Low to
moderate.
Low
High.
High.
Moderate.. -
Low to
moderate.
High.
High.
High to
moderate.
Moderate
High to
moderate.
Shriiik-swcil
potent iai
High to
moderate.
Low
Low to high
Low
Moderate
Low.
High to
moderate
Low.
Low.
Low.
Moderate.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Moderate.
liOw.
Moderate.
Low.
98
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 6. — Brief description of soils and their
Soil name
Depth to
season-
ally high
water
table
Depth to
bedrock
Brief description of site and soil
MxA
MxB2
MxC2
MyE2
MyF2
Pg
Ph
Montevalk) shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes,
inoderately eroded.
Montevallo shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Montevallo shalj' loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Montevallo shaly loam, 20 to 30 jjercent
slopes, mod(>rately (M-oded.
Montevallo shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Murrill frraxclly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Miurill gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 15 [M'rcent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 15 to 25 jiercent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Murrill grav(>lly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, mod(>rately eroded.
Muriill gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam. 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent
slo|)es, severely erod(>d.
Murrill silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Murrill silt loam, t) to 8 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Murrill silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Myersville channery loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes.
Myersville channery loam, 3 to 10 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Myersville channery loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Myersville channery loam, 20 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Myersville channery loam, 30 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Myersville channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Myersville channery silt loam, 10 to 30 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Myersville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Myersville silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Myersville silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Myersville very stony loam, 3 to 30 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Myersville very stony loam, 30 to 55 percent
slopes, eroded.
Philo gravelly sandj- loam
Philo silt loam
Feet
(')
{')
{')
{')
{')
6 +
6 +
6 +
6 +
6 +
6 +
6 +
6 +
6 +
6 +
6 +
6 +
6 +
6 +
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
{')
(')
{')
{')
1
1
Feet
1-2
1-2
1
1-2
1
(*)
i')
(')
(*)
(*)
(*)
{*}
(*)
0)
(*)
(*)■
(*)
(*)
0)
5-7
5-7
5-7
5-7
5-7
3-6
3-6
5-7
5-7
5-7
3-7
3-7
(')
0)
Very shallow, excessively drained upland soils,
developed in residuum from acid shale. Se-
verely eroded soils have lost at least half of
the original soil material above bedrock.
Deep, well-drained soils on coUuvial deposits of
sandstone material over limestone residuum
or limestone. Physical projx'rties given are
for the silt loam. The gravelly loam is es-
•senlially the same, but contains about 15 to
25 percent gravel in the solum. The gravelh'
sandy loam will be a gravelly SM through-
out. Severely eroded soils have lost mo.st of
the original surface layer, and there are occa-
sional gullies. Rarely, there are outcrops of
limestone.
Well-drained, deep, upland soils developed in
residuum from greenstone or metabasalt.
Physical properties given are for the silt loam.
The channery loam and the channery silt
loam are essentially the same as the silt loam,
except that they contain about 20 percent flat
stone fragments in the surface layer. The
very stony loam contains 20 to 40 percent
stones in the surface layer. Severely eroded
soils have lost most of the original ML surface
layer, and have occasional to frequent gullies,
some verj- deep.
Somewhat poorly drained soils of flood plains,
of recent alluvium from acid sandstone and
shale materials. Wet to moderately wet;
occasionally flooded. Physical properties
given are for the silt loam. The gravelly sandy
loam will be SM throughout.
See footnotes at end of table.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
99
estimated physical properties — Continued
USDA textural class
Engiiici'iiiig classification
Unified
AASIIO
Percentage passing
sieve —
No. 4
No.
10
No.
200
Selected characteristics signific^aiit in engineering
Range in
permeability
Reaction
Dispersion
Shrink-swell
potential
Shaly loam.
Hard shale.
GM.
A-2.
Percent
55
Percent
45
Percent
30
Inches per hour
0. 6-6. 3
pil
5. 1-5. 5
Low to
moderate.
Low.
Silt loam
Silty clay loam.
ML.
CL.
A-4.
A-6.
95
98
90
95
65
85
0. 6-2. 0
0. 06-0. 6
Silt loam
Silty clay loam
Clay loam
ML
CL.
CL.
A-4
A-6
A-6 or A-7.
95
98
100
90
95
100
75
85
80
0. 6-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 2-0. 6
Silt loam
Silty clay loam.
ML
ML or CL..
A-4
A-4 or A-
100
100
100
100
75
80
0. 2-0. 6
0. 06-0. 2
6. 1-6. 5
5. 1-6 5
Moderate
Low to high. .
Low.
Moderate.
5. 1-6. 0
4. 5-5. 5
5. 1-5. 5
Moderate
Low to high _
High
Low.
Moderate.
Moderate.
5. 1-6. 0
5. 1-5. 5
High.
High.
Low.
Moderate.
100
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 19 59, NO. 17
Table 6. — Brief description of soils and their
Soil iiaiiu'
Depth to
season
ally high
water
table
Dept h to
bedrock
Brief (lest'ri])t ion of site and soil
Pope fine sandy loam
Pope gravelly loam.
Pope gravelly sandy loam.
Pope silt loam
Pope stony gravelly loam
Rolirersville silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately erod(>d.
gravelly silt loam, thick solum
0 to 20 ])ercent slo[)es, moderately
gravelly silt hiam, thick solum
10 to 20 i)ei('('nt slopes, severely
gravelly silt loam, thick solum
20 to ;U) jiercent slojjes.
gravelly silt loam, thick solum
20 to 45 jx'rcent slojx-s, moderately
Talladega
variant,
ei-od(>d.
Talladega
\ ariant ,
eroded.
Talladega
variant,
Talladega
variant ,
eroded.
Thurmont gravelly loam, W to 8 ])crcent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Thurmont gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Trego gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Trego gravelly silt loam, :? to 15 i)ercent slopes,
moderately eroded.
T\ ler silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
\\'arneis loam, 0 to 8 jjercent slopes.
Waynesboro gra\elly loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Waynesboro gravell.v loam. 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loani, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
AVaynesboro gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 per-
cent slopes.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes, severely eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 |
I percent slopes, moderately eroded.
See footnotes at end of table.
Feet
3-4
3-4
3-4
3-4
3-4
0-1
(-)
{')
(-)
Feet
(')
(')
(')
0)
(')
(■)
4 +
2-3
4 +
4 +
5 +
(')
3 2
(')
2
(')
0-1
(')
1-2
(')
4 +
(')
4 +
(')
4 +
(')
3 +
0)
4 +
(')
4 +
(')
4 +
(')
4 +
(')
4 +
(')
3 +
0)
4 +
(')
Deep, well-drained soils of flood plains, of recent
alluvium from acid shale and sandstone
materials. Infrequently flooded. Physical
properties given are for the fine sandy loam.
The gravelly loam and the silt loam are essen-
tially the same as the fine sandy loam, except
that they contain gravel. The gravelly
sandy loam will be SM throughout. Stones
or boulders cover about 20 percent of the
stony gravelly loam.
Poorly drained soils developed in deposits of
coUuvial fines of metabasaltic materials. Wet
for considerable periods of time but seldom,
if ever, flooded.
Well-drained upland soils developed in residuum
from mica schist with a surface layer of
coUuvial sandstone debris. Severely eroded
soils have lost the original ML surface layer
and i)art of the MH subsoil.
Well-drained soils developed in gravelly coUuvial
deposits of metabasaltic materials, with some
sandstone and quartzite.
Moderately well drained soils developed in col-
luvial deposits of quartzite, metabasalt, and
sandstone materials. Moderately wet.
Poorly drained .soils on terraces of very old al-
luvium from acid sandstone and shale mate-
rials. Very wet.
Soils on flood plains, of variable drainage, of
marl deposits and recent alluvium from lime-
stone areas.
Deep, well-drained soils of high terraces, well
oxidized, of verj' old alluvium from sandstone
and other sedimentary rocks. Physical prop-
erties given are for the gravelly loam Grav-
elly sandy loam has essentially the same prop-
erties, except that it is SM throughout to GC
substratum. Severely eroded soils have lost
the original surface la\'er and part of the sub-
soil; occasional to frequent gullies, some into
the substratum.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAUYLAM)
estimated physical properties — Continued
Mil
USDA tcxlural class
Fine saiuly loam to lislit
silt loam.
Gravelly loam
Siltv clav loam.
Gravelly silt loam.
Gravelly or ehannery silt.v
clay loam.
Gravelly loam
Gravelly silt loam
Gravelh' loam
Gravelly silt loam
Gravelly sandy clay loam
Gravelly sandy clay
Silt loam
Silty clay loam
Clay-./_
Loam
Sandy clav loam
Silty 'clay ;
Gravelly loam
Gravelly silt loam
Gravelly clay loam
Very gravelly sandy clay
iMigineeritig classification
Unified
ML_
GM.
CL or ML.
ML_
MH.
ML or SM
ML
GM
ML
SO
SC or CL_.
ML
CL
CH
SM
SC
CH
SM or ML.
ML
CL
GC
AASHO
A-4.
A-2.
A-6.
A-4
A-5 or A-7.
A-4.
A-4.
A-2_
I'ercentage passing
sieve — •
No. 4
A-4
A-4
A-6
A-4.
A-6.
A-7.
A-2.
A-6.
A-7_
A-4.
A-4.
A-6_
A-2.
Percent
100
50
100
85
95
80
85
55
85
80
80
100
100
100
98
100
100
85
85
85
60
No.
10
Percent
100
40
98
80
90
70
75
45
80
70
65
100
100
100
95
95
98
80
80
80
55
No.
200
Percent
50
25
70
55
75
45
60
30
55
45
50
80
85
90
30
45
80
50
55
60
30
Scli'ctcd cliaracteristicH significant in engineering
Range in
permeability
Inches per hour
0. 2-2. 0
2. 0-fi. 3
0. 02-0. 6
0. 6-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 6-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 6-2. 0
0. 6-2. 0
0. 06-0. 6
0. 02-0. 06
0. 2-0. 6
0. 02-0. 2
0. 0-0. 02
0. 2-0. 6
0. 06-0. 2
0. 06-0. 2
0. 6-2. 0
0. 2-0. 6
0. 2-0. 6
0. 2-2. 0
Keaclion
pll
5. 1-6. 0
5. 1-6. 0
4. 5-5. 0
4. 5-5. 5
5. 6-6. 5
5. 1-6. 0
4. 5-5. 0
5. 6-6. 5
4. 5-5. 0
4. 0-5. 0
4. 0-5. 0
4. 0-5. 0
4. 0-4. 5
7. 9-8. 4
7. 9-9. 0
7. 9-9. 0
4. 5-5. 0
4. 0-4. 5
4. 0-4. 3
4. 0-4. 5
Dispersion
Sh rink-swell
potential
High.
High.
Low.
Very low.
High to
moderate.
High to
moderate.
High to
moderate.
Moderate.
Low.
Moderate.
Moderate Low
High to
moderate.
High
Moderate
Low to
moderate.
High
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low.
Low Low.
Moderate Moderate.
High High.
Low to
moderate.
High.
Moderate.
Moderate.
High I High.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Low
Low
Low.
Low.
Moderate.
Moderate.
102
SOIL SUKVICY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 6. — Brief description oj .soils and (heir
Map
symbol
Soil niune
Depth to
season-
ally high Depth
water
table
to
bedrock
Brief rlcscript ion of site and .soil
Depth
from
surface
(typical
profile)
Wh
WmB2
WmC2
WmC3
WmD2
WmD3
Wchadkce silt loam.
West morcland chaiuicrv silt loam, !{ to 10
percent slojJes, moderately eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 10 to 20
percent slo|)es, moderately eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 'A to 20
percent slojjes, severely eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt k)am, 20 to 30
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 20 to 30
percent slopes, severely eroded.
Feet
0-1
Feet
(')
Poorly drained soils of flood plains, of recent
allu\ium from areas of crystalline rocks.
Very wet; frequentlj' flooded.
Well-drained upland soils developed in residuum
from acid and lim\' shales, with some sand-
stone and limestone. Severely eroded soils
have lost most or all of the original ML hori-
zon, and have occasional to frequent shallow
gullies.
Feet
0-12
12-36-t-
0-14
14-32
.32-42 +
1 Tliesc soils consist of unconsolidated, stratified material that is
old or new alluvium or coUuvium; depth to bedrock is variable but
undetermined.
2 In n)ost residual soils, depth to water table cannot be estimated,
but, normally, the water table is in the bedrock.
3 These*soils have a slowly permeable fragipan in the subsoil.
At times. 'a i)erched water table is directly above the fragii)an and
is se|)arated from a lower, more permanent water table by a layer
of drv or nearlv drv soil.
Tahij: 7. — Sf>il characteristics
Map symbol
Soil
Suitability for
winter grading
Susceptibility
to frost action
Suitability for
septic tank
sites 1
Suitability as material for-
Road subgrade
Road fill
AsB...
At....
BaA, BaB2,
BaC2, BaC3.
BcB2, BcC2,
BcC3, BcD2.
BeB, BeB2,
BeC2, BeD2.
BkB2. BI<C2,
BkC3, BkD2.
BoE3, BoF
BrB2, BrC2,
BrD.
BtB
BuA. BuB2,
BuC2, BuD2,
CaB2
CcB2. CcC2, CcD,
CcD2, CcE, CcF
.\shton fine sandj' loam
Atkins silt loam
Benevola clay loam
Berks channery loam, ridges
Berks shaly silt loam
Berks silt loam, ridges
Berks soils, ridges
Braddock and Thurmont grav-
elly loams.
Brinkerton silt loam
Buchanan gravelly loam
Calvin channery fine sandy
loam.
Calvin channerv loam
Not suitable..
Not suitable..
Not suitable. _
Not suitable..
Not suitable. .
Not suitable. .
Not suitable. .
Not suitable. .
Not suitable. .
Not suitable. .
Fair
Not suitable..
Moderate
Verj' strong.
Moderate
Slight to
moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
^Moderate
Very strong.
Strong.
Slight to
moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
Poor (flooding).
Not suitable
Fair to good
Poor to fair
Poor to fair
Poor to fair
Not suitable
Good
Not suitable
Poor
Fair
Poor to fair
Fair
Very poor
Poor to fair.-
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Very poor
Poor '
Good
Good
Fair to good. .
Very poor '
Poor to fair...
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Very poor
Poor '
Good
Good
See footnotes at end oi: table.
\VASIlIN(il()N COUNTY, MARYLAND
If);-;
estimated plinxical p/ajx /lies — Coiil iiiucd
USDA textunil class
Silt loam
Silty clay loam to sandy
ciay.
Channery silt loatn
Shaly silty clay loam
Very shaly loam
Engineering classification
Unified
ML
CL.
ML
CL.
GM
AASHO
A-4
A-6
A-4
A-6
A-2
Percentage passing
sieve —
Selected characteristics significant in engineering
No. 4
Percent
100
100
80
85
60
No.
10
Percent
100
100
75
80
45
No.
200
Percent
75
80
60
05
25
Range in
permeability
Inches per hour
0. 2-0. 6
0. 02-0. 2
0. 2-0. G
0. 2-2. 0
0. G-2. 0
Reaction
pil
4. 5-5. 5
4. 5-5. 5
5. 6-6. 5
5. 1-6. 0
5. 6-6. 5
Dispersion
High
High to
moderate.
Moderate...
Low to
moderate.
High
Sliri nk-swell
potfntial
Low.
Moderate.
Low.
Moderate.
Low.
* In the Miirrill soils, d('j)th to bedrock is normally fairly great, areas, hard limestone is within a few feet of the surface; in rare
but in some places the colluvial material, from whicli at least the instances, there are limestone outcrops. In general, however, the
uppermost part of the soil has been formed, is thin. In some such depth to bedrock cannot be estimated.
that ajftct ( lujinceriiKj
Suitability as source
of—
Factors that affect engineering jiractices for-
Topsoil
Sand and
gravel
Vertical alinement
of highways
Material
Drainage
Farm ponds
Reservoir
areas
Embank-
ments
Agricultural
drainage
Irrigation -
Terraces
and
diversions
Waterways
Excellent.
Poor to
fair.
Very
good.
Poor to
fair.
Poor to
fair.
Poor to
fair.
Poor
Fair to
good.
Poor to
fair.
Fair-
Fair.
Poor to
fair.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
P'ine sand
sub-
strata.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
aole.
Not suit-
able.
Local
gravel
sub-
strata.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Very poor
stability.
Fine clay..
Shallow to
bedrock.
Shallow to
bedrock.
Shallow to
bedrock.
Shallow to
bedrock.
Fine clay
Fragipan. .
Shallow to
bedrock.
Shallow to
bedrock.
Occasional
flooding.
Flooding;
high wa-
ter table,
None
None
None
None
None
None
High water
table.
High water
table.
None
On low
terraces.
Flood plain.
Sandy sub-
strata.
Shaly sub-
strata.
Shaly sub-
strata.
Shaly sub-
strata.
Shaly,
steep.
Gravel sub-
strata.
None.
Fragipan.
Shaly sub-
strata.
Shaly sub-
strata.
Very high
in silt.
Very poor
stability.
Fine clay
Shaly
Shaly
Shaly
Shaly
Gravelly
Fine clay
Fragipan
Shaly
Shaly
Not needed.
Very slow
perme-
ability.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Very slow
perme-
ability.
Fragipan
Not needed _
Not needed.
No limita-
tions.
Poor drain-
age.
Fine clay..
Shallow
Shallow
Shallow
Shallow,
steep.
No limita-
tions.
Poor drain-
age.
Fragipan. _
Shallow.
Shallow
Erodible
Highly
erodible.
Erodible
Shallow.
Shallow.
Shallow-
Shallow,
steep.
Erodible.
Very slow
perme-
ability.
Slow perme-
ability.
Shallow
Shallow
Erodible.
Highly
erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible,
droughtj'.
Erodible,
droughty.
Erodible,
droughty.
Erodible,
droughty.
Erodible.
Highly
erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible,
droughty.
Erodible,
droughty.
599553-
!— 62 S
104
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Tabi.k 7. — Soil characteristics
Map symbol
CmB2, CmC2,
CmC3, CmD,
CmE.
CnB2, CnC2,
CnC3, CnD2,
CnF2,
CoB2. CoC2,
CoD2, CoE3,
CoF.
CrB, CrB2,
CrC2, CrD.
Cs
Ct-
CwA,CwB2,CwC2_
CxC
CyE2
DeD, DeE, DeF._.
DkD, DkE
DuC.
DmA, DmB2,
DmC2, DmD2,
DmDB.
DvC, DvE2
DyB2, DyC2_
Dz
EdC, EdD2,
EdE2, EdF2.
EgA, EgD. EgF.
EhB2, EhD2,
EhE2, EhF.
Em
En
Soil
Calvin shalv loam.
Calviii-Bcrks chaiiiu'iN- loams,
Calviii-]\loiitc\alio slialv loam
Chandler silt loam and chan
ncry silt loam.
Chewacla gravelly sandy loam.
Chewacla silt loam.
Chewacla stonv silt loam Not suitable. .
Suitability for
winter grading
Not suitable.
Not suitable..
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Susceptibility
to frost action
Congaree silt loam and gravelly
loam.
Corvdon elav loam.
Corydon extremely rocky clay
loam.
Corydon very rocky clay loam..
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony
sandy loams.
Dekalb and Lehew very stony
loams.
Duffield extremeh' rockj- silt
loam.
Duffield silt loam
Duffield very rocky silt loam...
Dunmore cherty silt loam
Dunning and jNIelvin silty clay
loams.
Edgemont and Laidig channery
loams.
Edgemont and Laidig ver}-
stonj- loams,
s Elliber cherty loam
Eroded land, greenstone ma-
terials.
Eroded land, limestone ma-
terials.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Poor to fair..
Poor to fair..
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Slight to
moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
IModerate.
Strong
Strong.
Strong.
Aloderate to
strong.
Moderate.
Moderate-
Moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate
^loderate
Very .strong.
Moderate-
Moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
Strong-
Strong.
Suitability for
septic tank
sites 1
Poor to fair. .
Poor to fair_-
Poor to fair..
Poor to fair.
Not suitable -
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable
Poor
Poor
Poor
Fair to good
Fair to good
Poor to fair
Good
Suitability as material for —
Road subgrade
Good .
Good.
Good.
Fair to good Fair
Fair..
Poor 3.
Poor 3.
Poor
Fair..
Poor..
Poor..
Poor..
Good.
Good.
Poor to fair..
Fair to good.
Fair
Not suitable.
Good.
Good-
Good.
Not suitable..
Not suitable..
Poor
Very poor ' .
Good.
Fair. .
Good.
Fair.
Fair.
Road fill
Good.
Good .
Good-
Fair__
Poor
Poor 3.
Poor
Good.
Poor..
Poor..
Poor..
Good.
Good.
Poor to fair..
Fair to good.
Fair
Poor to fair..
Very poor ' . .
Good.
Fair..
Good.
Fair..
Fair. .
See footnotes at onJ of table.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
that affect eiKjInecriiKj ( 'oiil imicd
Suitability as source
of—
Factors that affect engineering practices for —
Topsoil
Sand and
gravel
Vertical alinement
of highways
b arm
ponds
Agricultural
drainage
Lrigatiori •
Terraces
and
diversions
Waterways
Material
1 )rainage
Reservoir
areas
Embank-
ments
Poor to
Not suit-
Shallow to
None ,
Shaly sub-
Shaly
Not needed.
Shallow
Shallow
Erodible,
fair.
able.
bedrock.
strata.
droughty.
Poor to
Not suit-
Shallow to
None
Shalv sub-
Shaly
Not needed -
Shallow
Shallow
Erodible,
fair.
able.
bedrock.
strata.
droughty.
Poor to
Not suit-
Shallow to
None
Shaly sub-
Shaly
Not needed -
Shallow
Shallow
Erodible,
fair.
able.
bedrock.
strata.
droughty.
Fair
Not suit-
Micaceous,-
None
Micaceous.-
Micaceous. -
Not needed.
Shallow
Shallow
Erodible,
able.
droughty.
Fair
Local
Poor sta-
High water
Flood plain.
Poor sta-
Slow per-
Impeded
Slow per-
Erodible.
gravel
bility.
table.
bility.
meabil-
"drainage.
meabil-
sub-
ity.
ity.
strata.
Fair
Local
Poor sta-
High water
FIuckI j)lain-
Poor sta-
Slow per-
Impeded
Slow per-
Erodible.
gravel
bility.
table.
bihty.
meabil-
drainage.
meabil-
sub-
ity.
ity.
strata.
Poor
Local
Stones,
High water
Flood plain,
Stones,
Slow per-
Impeded
Stones,
Stones,
gravel
boulders.
table.
stones.
boulders.
meabil-
drainage.
boulders.
boulders.
sub-
ity.
stones.
strata.
Good
Local
Flooding
Flood plain -
Variable
Not needed-
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
sandy
perme-
tion.
gravel
ability.
sub-
strata.
Good
Not suit-
Limestone
None
Limestone
Fine clay
Not needed-
Shallow;
Shallow;
Erodible;
able.
ledges.
ledges.
ledges.
ledges.
ledges.
Poor
Not suit-
Rockiness_ _
None
Rockiness. _
Rockiness. -
Not needed -
Rockiness. .
Rockiness. .
Rockiness.
able.
Fair
Not suit-
Rockiness-.
None
Rockiness- -
Rockiness - -
Not needed-
Rockiness. .
Rockiness. .
Rockiness.
able.
Poor to
Not suit-
Shallow to
None
Permeable
Stones,
Not needed.
Stones,
Stones,
Stones,
fair.
able.
bedrock.
sub-
boulders.
boulders.
boulders.
boulders.
strata.
Poor to
Not suit-
Shallow to
None
Permeable
Stones,
Not needed-
Stones,
Stones,
Stones,
fair.
able.
bedrock.
sub-
boulders.
boulders.
boulders.
boulders.
strata.
Good
Not suit-
Rockiness_ _
None. .
Rockiness. .
Rockiness - -
Not needed-
Rockiness - .
Rockiness. .
Rockiness.
able.
Very
Not suit-
Shallow to
None _ . _
Not needed.
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
efood
able.
bedrock.
tion.
Good
Not suit-
Rockiness- _
None
Rockiness
Rockiness
Not needed.
Rockiness .
Rockiness. .
Rockiness.
able.
Very
Not suit-
Fine clay
None. .
Fine clay
Not needed-
Fine clay
Erodible
Erodible.
efood
able.
subsoil
Good
Not suit-
Very poor
Flooding;
Flood plain -
Very pK)or
Slow per-
Poor drain-
Erodible
Erodible.
able.
stability.
high wa-
stability.
meabil-
age
ter table.
ity; high
water
table.
Fair
Not suit-
Shallow to
None ...
Channery . .
Not needed.
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
able.
bedrock.
tion.
Fair
Not suit-
Shallow to
None.
Stones,
Stones,
Not needed -
Stones,
Stones,
Stones,
able.
bedrock.
boulders.
boulders.
boulders.
boulders.
boulders.
Good
Not suit-
Shallow to
None
Permeable
Chertj'. .
Not needed.
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible
able.
bedrock.
sub-
tion.
strata.
Poor,
Not suit-
Shallow to
None
Variable
Variable. .
Erodible
Erodible.
able.
bedrock.
Poor
Not suit-
Shallow to
None _
Variable
Variable.
Erodible
Erodible.
able.
bedrock.
106
SOIL SUHVEY SEHIKS 1 959, NO. 17
Table 7. — Soil characteristics
Map symbol
Er.
Es.
EtA, EtB2. EtC2,
EtD2.
EwA, EwB2,
EwC2.
FaB, FaB2, FaC2,
FaE2.
FsA, FsB2, FsC2
FtC2
FrE
FuD, FuE,
FvC2, FvC3,
FvE2.
FwA, FwB2,
FwB3, FwC2,
FwC3. FwD2.
FwD3, FwE2,
FwE3.
FyB2, FyC2,
FyC3, FyD2,
FyD3, FyE2.
HaA, HaB2,
HaB3, HaC2,
HaC3, HaD2,
HaD3.
HbD2
HcD2.
HdE_.
HeA, HeB2,
HeC2, HeD2.
HfA, HfB2,
HfC2, HfD2.
HgC2, HgE2.
HhC2, HhC3,
HhE2.
HkF
H1A._.
HmE2_
HnB2, HnC2,
HnC3, HnD2,
HnD3, HnE.
HoB, HoB2,
HoC2, HoE2.
HpB, HpD,
HpE.
HrA, HrB2,
HrC2, HrD2,
HrD3, HrE2.
See footnotes at end of table
Soil
Eroded land, sandstone and
quartzite inatorials.
Eroded land, ^hale and schist
materials.
Etowah gravelly loam
Etowali silt loam
Fauquier channer\^ loam
Fauqui(>r silt loam
Fauquier silt loam, shallow -
Fauquier very stony loam__
Frankstown extremely rocky
silt loam.
Frankstown V(>r\- rocky silt
loam.
Frankstown and Duflield chan-
iierv silt loams.
Frederick cherty silt loam_
Hagerstown clay loam
Hagerstovvn extremely rock}'
silt loam.
Hagerstown extremely rocky
silty clay loam.
Hagerstown extremely rocky
soils.
Hagerstown silt loam
Hagerstown silty clay loam
Hagerstown very rocky silt loam_.
Hagerstown very rocky silty
clay loam
Hagerstown very rocky soils
Hagerstown, Corydon, and Duf-
field very rocky silt loams.
Hagerstown and Duffield silt
loams.
Hazel channerv silt loam
Highfield gravelly loam
Highfield very stony loam.
Holston gravellv loam
Suitability for
wint(>r grading
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Susceptibility
to frost action
Strong
Strong
Moderate. _.
Moderate...
Moderate...
^Moderate...
Moderate...
Moderate...
Moderate...
Moderate...
Moderate...
Moderate...
Moderate. -.
Moderate...
Moderate...
Moderate...
Moderate...
Moderate. .-
Moderate...
Moderate.. -
Moderate.. -
Moderate...
Moderate...
Slight to
moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate
Moderate...
Suitability for
septic tank
sites '
Not suitable -
Not suitable.
(Jood
Good
Good
Good
Poor
]''air
Poor to fair-.
Fair to good.
Good
Good
Good
Fair
Fair
Not suitable.
Good
Good
Fair
Fair
Not suitable.
Fair
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Good
Good
Good
Suitability as material for-
Uoad subgrade
Fair
Poor
Fair to good . _
Fair to good . _
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
Poor to fair
Fair
Good
Fair
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Fair to good. .
Good
Fair
Good
Road fill
Fair
Poor
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Fair
Poor to fair.
Fair
Good
Fair to good
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor to fair.
Poor to fair.
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Good
Good
Fair
Good
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAHYLAM) | ()7
that affect engineering — Continued
Siii(;il)ilitv :is sourt'(!
of—
Factors that alFct-t ciigiiicci-intf jjiactices for -
Topsoil
Sand and
gravel
Vertical alincmont
of highways
Farm ponds
Agricultural
drainage
Irrigation ^
Terraces
and
diversions
Waterways
Material
Drainage
Reservoir
areas
Embank-
ments
Poor
Not suit-
Shallow to
Variable
Variable
Variable
Erodible
Erodible.
able.
bedrock.
Poor
Not suit-
Shallow to
None . .
Variable
Variable
Erodible
Erodible.
able.
bedrock.
Good
Gravelly
None.
Gravelly
Not needed.
Xo limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
sub-
sub-
tion.
strata.
strata.
Good
Gravelly
None_ _.
Gravelly
Not needed.
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
sub-
sub-
tion.
strata.
strata.
Good
Not suit-
None
Not needed.
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
able.
tion.
Good
"\^nt. t;i 1 i f,-
None
Not nppHpH
No limita-
ErorliHlp
Erorlihlc
able.
tion.
Good
Not suit-
None
Shallow
Not needed-
Shallow
Shallow
Shallow;
able.
erodible.
Good
Not. f^m't,-
Stones
None
Stones.
Stones.
A 1 v." U 11 C C V.i vT VJ. _
Stones
St.onPQ
able.
Good
Not suit-
Rocki-
None
Rocki-
Rocki-
Not needed
Rocki-
Rocki-
Rockiness.
able.
ness.
ness.
ness.
ness.
ness.
Good
Not suit-
Rocki-
None
Rocki-
Rocki-
Not needed.
Rocki-
Rocki-
Rockiness.
able.
ness.
ness.
ness.
ness.
ness.
Very
Not suit-
None
Not needed.
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
good.
able.
tion.
Good
Not suit-
Shallow to
None. ._ -
Not needed.
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
able.
bedrock.
tion.
Good
Not suit-
Occasional
None ...
Occasional
Fine clay
Not needed.
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
able.
ledges.
ledges.
tion.
Good
Not suit-
Rockiness_ _
None
Rockiness. .
Rockiness. .
Not needed.
Rockiness. _
Rockiness. .
Rockiness.
able.
Good
Not suit-
Rockiness. .
None ...
Rockiness. _
Rockiness. .
Not needed.
Rockiness. .
Rockiness. .
Rockiness.
able.
Good
Not suit-
Rockiness-.
None
Rockiness. .
Rockiness. -
Not needed.
Rockiness. .
Rockiness.
able.
Very
Not suit-
Occasional
None.. . .
Occasional
Fine clay
Not needed.
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
good.
able.
ledges.
ledges.
tion.
Very
Not suit-
Occasional
None
Occasional
Fine clay
Not needed.
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
good.
able.
ledges.
ledges.
tion.
Good
Not suit-
Rockiness. _
None .
Rockiness. .
Rockiness. .
Not needed.
Rockiness. .
Rockiness. .
Rockiness.
able.
Good
Not suit-
Rockiness. _
None
Rockiness. .
Rockiness - .
Not needed.
Rockiness. .
Rockiness. .
Rockiness.
able.
Good
Not suit-
Rockiness. .
None .
Rockiness. .
Rockiness. .
Not needed
Rockiness. .
Rockiness.
able.
Good
Not suit-
Rockiness. .
None.. -
Rockiness. .
Rockiness. -
Not needed.
Rockiness. .
Rockiness. _
Rockiness.
able.
Good
Not suit-
Occasional
None -
Occasional
Fine clay
Not needed
Erodible
Erodible.
able.
ledges.
ledges.
Poor to
Not suit-
Shallow to
None
Very shal-
Channery,
Not needed-
Very shal-
Very shal-
Erodible.
fair.
able.
bedrock.
low.
mica-
low.
low.
ceous.
Good
Not suit-
Shallow to
None. ..
Not needed-
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
able.
bedrock.
tion.
Good
Not suit-
Shallow to
None
Stones
Stones
Not needed.
Stones.. 1
Stones
Stones.
able.
bedrock.
Fair
Gravelly
None. -
Gravelly
Not needed.
No limita-
Erodible
Erodible.
sub-
sub-
tion.
strata.
strata.
108
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 7.- — Soil characteristics
Map symbol
HsB, HsC2,
HsC3.
HtA, HtB2,
HtC2.
Hu.
Hv_
Hw.
Hx_
LaA, LaB2,
LaC2, LaD2.
LbD, LbE2...
LcB2, LcD2.
Le
LgA, LgB2_.
Lm
Ln
LoB2, LoC2,
LoC3,
LsB, LsB2, LsC2.
LsC3, LsD2,
LsDB, LsE2,
LsE3, LsF.
LtB, LtC2, LtC3,
LtD2, LtD3,
LtE2
Me
MsB2, MaC2_
MhA, MhB2,
MhC2, MhD2.
MmB2, MmC2,
MmC3, MmD2
MmD3.
MoA, MoB2,
MoC2, MoD2,
MoD3, MoE2.
MrB, MrC2,
MrC3, MrD2,
MrD3.
MsA, MsB2,
MsC2.
See footnotos iit end of tahl
Soil
Holstoii gravelly sandy loam
Holston silt loam
Ilimtiiislon fiiu; sandy loam
IluiUinfilon siravelly loam
Iluntinstoii silt loam
Iluiitington silt loam, local
alluvium.
Laidig gravelly loam
Laidig very stony loam
Landisburg chcrty silt loam.
Largcnt silt loam
Lead\alt> gravelly silt loam.
Lindsidc silt k)am
Lindside silt loam, loeal allu-
vium.
Litz channerv loam
Suit-ability for
winter grading
Litz shah- loam.
Litz-Teas ehannerv silt loams.
Alt'lvin silt loam_
Monoiigahehi gravelly loam
Monongaliela silt loam
Monlevallo shaly loam
Murrill gravelly loam
Murrill graxflly sandy loam
Murrill silt loam
Not suitable -
Not suitable.
Not su
Not su
Not su
Not su
Not su
Not su
Not su
Not su
Not su
Not su
Not su
Not su
table.
table.
table.
table.
table.
table
table-
table.
table.
table,
table.
table
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Susceptibility
to frost action
Slight
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate. _.
Moderate...
Moderate. --
Moderate. --
Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
Slight to
moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
Very strong.-.
Suitability for
septic tank
sites '
Strong.
Strong.
Poor.
Poor.
Poor.
Good.
Good.
Moderate Good.
Shght to
moderate.
Moderate
Slight to
moderate.
Good.
Good.
Not suitable. .
Not suitable .
Not suitable.
Fair
Good
Good
Poor
Not suhable..
Poor
Not suitable- _
Poor
Poor
Poor.
Poor.
Not suitable - .
Suitability as material for-
Road subgrade
Good
Good
Good
Good
Fair
Fair
Good
Fair
Poor
Poor'
Poor
Poor '
Poor
Good
Good
Good
Very poor
Poor to fair..
Poor to fair..
Fair to good.
Good
Good
Road fill
Good
Good
Fair to good.
Fair to good.
Fair to good.
Fair to good.
Good
Fair
Poor
Poor '
Poor to fair..
Poor '
Poor
Good
Good
Good
Very poor
Fair to good.
Fair to good.
Good
Good
Good
Fair i Good.
WASIIINCTOX COrNTV, .\IAi; Vl.AMJ
that affect engineering — Continued
109
Suitabilitv a.s source
of—
Tojisoil
Sand and
gravel
I'"a('t()rs llial .■illVcl ciiniiH'cr inn practices (or
Vertical alineinent
of highways
Material
Drainage
Farm ponds
Reservoir
areas
Embank-
ments
Agricultural
drainage
Irrigation ^
Terraces
and
diversions
Waterways
Not needed.
No limita-
tion.
Erodible
Erodible.
Not needed-
No limita-
tion.
Erodible
Erodible.
Not needed.
Not needed _
Not needed-
Not needed-
Not needed-
Not needed.
No limita-
tion.
No limita-
tion.
No limita-
tion.
No limita-
tion.
No limita-
tion.
Stones - _ .
Erodible
Erodible
Erodible
Erodible
Erodible
Stones
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Stones.
Fragipan
High water
table.
Fragipan
High water
table.
High water
table.
Not needed.
Fragipan
Impeded
drainage.
Fragipan
Impeded
drainage.
Impeded
drainage.
Shallow
Slow perme-
ability.
Slow perme-
ability.
Slow perme-
ability.
Slow perme-
ability.
Slow perme-
ability.
Shallow
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erofiible.
Erodible.
Shallow ;
droughty.
Not needed.
Shallow
Shallow
Shallow ;
droughtj'.
Not needed.
Shallow
Shallow
Shallow;
droughty.
High water,
table.
Poor drain-
age.
Slow perme-
ability.
Erodible.
Fragipan
Fragipan
Not needed.
Fragipan
Fragipan
Shallow
Very slow
perme-
ability.
Very slow
pel iiie-
ability.
Shallow
Erodible.
Erodible.
Shallow;
droughty.
Not needed.
No Hmita-
tion.
Erodible
Erodible.
Not needed.
No limita-
tion.
Erodible
Erodii)le.
Not needed.
No limita-
tion.
Erodible
Erodible.
Poor.
Fair-
Good
Good
Excellent.
Excellent.
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair to
good.
Good...
Fair.
Fair.
Fair..
Good.
Fair..
Fair-.
Poor.
Good.
Fair..
Gravelly
sub-
strata.
Gravelly
sub-
strata.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Gravelly
sub-
strata.
Gravelly
sub-
strata.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Stones
Fragipan. .
Poor sta-
bility.
Fragipan. .
Shallow to
bedrock.
Shallow to
bedrock.
Shallow to
bedrock.
Very poor
stability.
Fragipan _
Fragipan _ .
Shallow to
bedrock.
Good Not suit-
1 able.
None.
None.
Flooding. .
Flooding
Flooding
None
None
None
High water
table.
High water
table
High water
table.
High water
table.
High water.
table.
None
None.
None-
Flooding;
high
water
table.
High water
table.
High water,
table.
None.
None.
None.
None .
Gravelly
sub-
strata.
Gravelly
sub-
strata.
Flood plain
Flood i)lain.
Flood plain
Stones
Fragipan
Flood plain.
Fragipan
Flood plain.
Channery
sub-
strata.
Shaly sub-
strata.
Channery
sub-
strata.
Flood plain
Fragipan
Fragipan
Shaly sub-
strata.
Sandy.
Sandv
High in
silt.
High in
silt.
Gravelly.
Stones
Fragipan .
Poor sta-
bility.
Fragipan.
Poor sta-
ability.
Poor sta-
bility.
Channery
Shalv
Cluinnery . _
Very poor. .
sta-
bility.
Fragipan
Fragipan
Shalv
Sand^
110
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 7. — Soil characterifitics
Suitability as material for —
Road subgrade
Poad fill
Fair
Fair to good..
Fair
Fair to good..
Fair . . .
Fair to good..
Fair
Fair to good..
Poor . . _
Fair
Poor . .
Poor
Fair _ _
Fair to good..
Fair
Fair to good__
Fair
Fair to good..
Poor to fair
Fair. ...
Fair...
Fair
Poor
Poor. - . .
Poor
Poor. -
Fair- .
Fair
Poor.
Poor
Poor to fair
Fair
Variable
Variable
Fair to good_ _
Good
Poor to fair
Poor to fair
Ver}- poor
Very poor
Poor
Poor to fair
Map symbol
MvA, MvB2,
MvC2, MvD2,
MvE2.
MwB3, MwD3..
MxA, MxB2,
MxC2.
MyE2, MyF2..-
Pg-
Ph-
Pn.
Po.
Pp-
Ps.
Pt.
Rk....
RoB2.
Sr....
Ss-...
TaC2, TaC3,
TaD, TaE2.
Te
ThB2, ThC2.
TrA, TrC2.
TyB
Wa
Soil
Myersville channery loam.
Myersvillc channery silt loam.
Myersville silt loam
Myersvillc very stony loam
Pliilo gra\ ('lly sandy loam
Philo silt loam
Pope fine sandy loam
Po])e gravelly loam
Pope gravelly sandy loam.
Pope silt loam
Pope stony gravelly loam.
Rocky eroded land
Rohrersville silty clay loam .
Stony rolling land
Stony steep land
Talladega gravelly silt loam,
thick solum variant.
Terrace escarpments
Thurmont gravelly loam
Suitability for
winter grading
Trego gravelly silt loam.
Tyler silt loam
Warners loam
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable .
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable-
Not suitable.
Not suitable. .
Not suitable. .
Not suitable _ .
Not suitable. .
Not suitable. .
Not suitable. .
Not suitable. _
Not suitable. .
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Not suitable -
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Susceptibility
to frost action
Moderate
Moderate...
Moderate
Moderate
Strong
Strong
Moderate to
s* rong.
Moderate to
strong.
Moderate to
strong.
Moderate to
strong.
Moderate to
strong.
Moderate
Very strong.
Slight to
moderate.
Slight to
moderate.
Moderate
Variable
Moderate...
Strong
Very strong.
Suitability for
septic tank
sites '
Good
Good
Good
Good
Not suitable . .
Not suitable . _
Not suitable
Not suitable. _
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Not suitable
Good
Not suitable
Good
Poor
Not suitable
Not suitable Moderate to i Not suitable
strong.
See footnotes at end of table.
\VASIIIN(iT().\ COUNTY, MAHVLAXD
111
that affect engmeering — ( imicc
Suitabilitv as source
of—
r'actors tliiil iiirci't ciiniiiciTiiig practices for —
Topsoil
Saiul and
gravel
Vertical aliiieinent
of highways
Malerial
Drainage
I''ariii p()ii(l>
Reservoir
areas
Embank-
ments
Agricultin'al
drainage
Trrigat ion -
Terraces
and
diversions
\Vat<;r\vavs
Cood_._
Good
Good...
Good
Poor . „ .
Poor
Good...
Good...
Fair
Good
Fair
Fair
Good...
Poor
Poor
Fair
Variable
Good...
Fair
Poor to
fair.
\'ery
good.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Local
gravel
sub-
strata.
Local
gravel
sub-
strata.
Local
gravel
sub-
strata.
Local
gravel
sub-
strata.
Local
gravel
sub-
strata.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Variable.
Local
gravel
sub-
strata.
Local
gravel
sub-
strata.
Not suit-
able.
Not suit-
able.
Shallow to
bedrock.
Shallow to
bedrock.
Shallow to
bedrock.
Shallow to
bedrock.
Poor sta-
bility.
Stones -
Rockiness_
Poor sta-
bility.
Stones,
boulders.
Stones,
boulders.
Shallow to
becirock.
Variable
Fragipan . . .
Very poor
stability.
Poor sta-
bility.
None.
None.
None.
None .
High water
table.
High water
table.
Flooding
Flooding.
Flooding.
Flooding.
Flooding
None.
High water
table.
None
None.
None.
Variable.
None
High water
table.
High water
table.
High water
table.
Stones
Flood plain.
Flood plain.
Flood plain.
Flood plain.
Flood plain.
Flood plain -
Stones;
flood
plain.
Rockiness. .
Stones,
boulders.
Stones,
boulders.
Channery
sub-
strata.
Variable...
Gravelly
sub-
strata.
Fragipan. -
Flood plain.
Stones.
Sandy.
Poor sta-
bility.
Sandy
Sandj'.
High in silt.
Stones -
Rockiness. .
Poor sta-
bility.
Stones,
boulders.
Stones,
boulders.
Micaceous..
Variable
Fragipan
Very poor
stabihty.
Poor sta-
bility.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Not needed.
High water
table.
High water
table.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Slow per-
meability.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Not needed.
Variable
Not needed.
Fragipan..
Very slow
perme-
ability.
Slow perme-
ability.
No limita-
1 ion.
Severely
eroded.
No limita-
tion.
Stones
Impeded
drainage.
Impeded
drain.-inc
No limita-
tion.
No limita-
tion.
No limita-
tion.
No limita-
tion.
Stones.
Poor
drainage.
No limita-
tion.
Variable..
No limita-
tion.
Fragipan.
Poor drain-
age.
Impeded
drainage.
Erodible.
I'^rodibk!.
Erodible.
Stones. .
Slow per-
meability.
Slow pcr-
jiical)ility.
i'>(j(iil)le
Erodible
Erodible..
Erodible.
Stones.
Rockiness. .
Erodible
Stones,
boulders.
Stones,
boulders.
Erodible
Erodible
Erodible....
Erodible.
Very slow
perme-
ability.
Erodible...
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Stones.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Stones.
Rockiness.
Erodible.
Stones,
boulders.
Stones,
boulders.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
Erodible.
112
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 7. — Soil characteristics
Map symbol
Soil
Suitabilitj^ for
winter grading
Susceptibility
to frost action
Suitability for
septic tank
sites '
Suitability as material for-
Koad subgrade
Road fill
WbA, WbB2,
WbC2. WbC3.
WbD2, WbD3.
WbE2.
WgB, WsC2,
WgC3, WgD2.
Wh
WmB2, WmC2,
WmC3, WmD2,
WmD3.
Waynesboro gravelly loam.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy
loam.
Wehadkee silt loam
Westmor(
loatn.
land channerj' silt
Not suitable.
Not suitable _
Not suitable.
Not suitable.
Moderate. Good
Good.
Slight.
Good.
Good.
W'rv strong ' Not suitable i Poor.
-Moderate.
Good.
Good.
Good
(iood
Poor.
Good
' liatings of fair to good suitability for septic tank sites aj)ply
only to soils having sloijes no greater than 8 percent. Because of
lateral movement of liquid and possible seepage, the soils that have
slopes betweeu 8 and 15 percent are less suitable for septic tank
sewage disposal, and all soils that have slopes greater than 15
percent are almost entirely unsuitable. Groupings of soils for
sewage disposal are discussed in another section of this report.
The crops in each truck-crop group are:
Truck sroup 1 (very shallow rooted):
Lettuce
Onions
Spinach
Strawberries
Truck group 2 (shallow roctod) :
Beets
Broccoli
( 'abliage
( 'aulitlower
Celery
Cucumbers
Peas
Snap beans
Truck group 3 (moderately deep rooted) :
Asparagus
Eggplant
Lima beans
Melons
Peppers
Pumpkins
Squash
]Most of the other crops listed need no explanation.
'"Grass mixture" may be any of several mixtures of
grasses, witli or witliout clovers or alfalfa, commonly
used for pasture or for liay. Orchards include apples,
peaches, cherries, plums, and prunes. Where orchards
are indicated with cover, it means that a close-growing
crop covers the surface of the soil between orchard trees
at the time of irrigation; where orchards are indicated
without cover, it means tliat tlie soil between the orchard
trees is bare, or nearly so, when irrigation water is ap])lied.
Irrigation, to be successful, nnist meet tlie needs of
the crops and must suit tlie soils to be irrigated. Different
crops will need different amounts of water and at dif-
ferent intervals. Some soils hold much water; some hold
little. Water penetrates some soils readily, others much
more slowly. Consequently, different kinds of .soils should
not be irrigated alike. It is for these reasons that table 8
has been arranged to place the better agricultural soils
of Washington County in definite irrigation soil groups.
Tlie soils within each group can be irrigated alike, and
the differences within each group depend mostly on the
type of crop to be irrigated.
Irrigation soil grotip 1 consists of the sandy soils of
the county. Because these soils liave a relatively high
infiltration capacity, water application rates can be
fairly high, but they retain less moistui'e than most of
the other soils of the county. On these sandy soils, irriga-
tion systems should be designed for relatively small
amounts of water applied frequenth'.
The soils of irrigation soil group 2 are only moderately
well drained. They must be improved by artificial drain-
age before they are suitable for irrigation. The same is
true for some soils in irrigation soil grouj^s 1 and 3.
The soils of group 2 have a very slowly permeable, tough
or dense harclpan, or a clay subsoil, that limits the depth
of effective root development and, thus, liinits the effective
depth for irrigation. Therefore, available moisture capa-
cities within root zones are lower for soils of group 2
than for better soils.
Irrigation soil group 3 consists of deep, medium-
textured soils underlain by sand, silt, and gravel. AVater
must be applied somewhat slowly here, but the soil can
retain larger amounts of water than can the soils of
groups 1 and 2.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
I. '-5
that affect engineering — Continued
Suil ability a.s source
of—
Factors that alTccl engineering practices for
Topsoil
Sand and
gravel
Vertical alinenient
of highways
Material
Drainage
I'^ai in ponds
Reservoir
areas
iMnhank-
nients
Agricultural
drainage
Irrigation '
Terraces
and
diversions
VVaterwavs
Fair.
Fair.
Poor to
fair.
Good.
Gravelly
sub-
strata.
Gravelly
sub-
strata.
Local
gravel
sub-
strata.
Not suit-
able.
Poor sta-
bility.
Shallow to
bedrock.
None
None
Flooding
high
water
taole.
None
Gravelly
substrata.
Grav-elly
substrata.
Flood plain _
Shaly to
channery
sub-
strata.
Sandy.
Poor sta-
hilitv.
Shaly or
channerv.
Not needed-
Not needed.
High water
table.
No limita-
tion.
No limita-
tion.
Poor drain-
age.
Erodible...
Erodible.
Slow perme-
aoility.
Not needed- No limita- Erodible.
tion.
Erodible.
Erodiblf!.
Erodible.
Erodible.
2 Certain characteristics, most notably slope and degree of ero- ^ gandy or gravelly layers are suitable for subgrade or fill if
sion, affect irrigation, in addition to those indicated in this table. artificially drained or if the water table is low.
For all practical purposes, only soils of capability classes I, II,
and III are considered suitable for irrigation.
Irrigation soil group 4 consists of fairly shallow soils
over bedrock of somewhat fragmented shale or schist
that is generally within about 2 feet of the surface. These
soils are highly erodible. Therefore, although the soil
over bedrock will retain fairly large amounts of water
per unit of depth, the available space for water is limited
and application rates must be slow enough to prevent
further erosion.
In irrigation soil group 5, which includes a greater
nimiber of soils from widespread parts of the county
than any other group, the surface layer is medium tex-
tured, the subsoil is fairly fine, and the profile is at least
moderately deep. These soils can absorb water only
rather slowly, but large amounts of water will be retained
in the soil and in the subsoil. Irrigation soil group 5
includes the greater part of the better agricultural soils
of the county.
Irrigation soil group 6, on the other hand, includes
only two soils, both of the Dunmore series. These soils
have a friable, silty surface layer, but a very heavy and
very fine subsoil. Although this subsoil is not a hardpan,
it allows only very slow movement of soil moisture;
however, large amounts of moisture can be stored. Ap-
plication of water must be slow on these soils.
Irrigation soil group 7 consists of the soils of the covuity
that have a fine or very fine surface layer and subsoil, with
the subsoil almost invariably somewhat finer than the
surface layer. As far as irrigation management is con-
cerned, the soils of group 7 are much like those of group 6.
However, because the surface texture is so fine in the soils
of irrigation soil group 7, the irrigation of most truck
crops is not recommended. Generally, truck crops are
much more easily managed on coarse-textured soils, and
they are seldom grown on very fine textured soils, except
in home gardens.
To summarize, irrigation soil groups 3 and 5 (especially
the latter) include most of the better agricultural soils of
the county for most purposes. These soils can store rather
large amounts of irrigation water, which can be applied
at moderate rates, and are thus perhaps the most suitable
soils in the county for irrigation farming. Irrigation soil
groups 1, 2, 6, and 7 should also give good returns from
irrigation.
Irrigation soil group 4 consists of soils that are shallow
and generally rather low in natural fertility, or otherwise
limited in usefulness. Irrigation on these soils may not
be justifiable, except for some special crops or enterprises
that will yield high returns per dollar invested. Some
good-quality orchard sites, especially with regard to
freedom from frost, occur on some of these shallow soils,
and it may be feasible to irrigate orchai'ds on such sites.
Soil groups for sewage disposal
Although Washington County is mostly rural, its
county seat, Hagerstown, is a growing industrial citj-.
Along with its industrial growth there is rapid residential
expansion in some of its suburban areas. There are also
growing communities in the county; Smithburg is one
example.
In any rapid industrial or residential expansion, one
of the problems is disposal of sewage. Wherever complete
systems of sewers can be installed, the problems are not
left to the individual landowner. Unless a sewerage sys-
tem can be built, however, the indi\adual builder or land-
owner generally needs to arrange for disposal of sewage,
and, as a rule, he will install a septic tank.
114
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Tablt, 8. — Irrigdfioii soil (jr(nij>s\ wifli <ulaj>t(>d crop.'-: and ceiUiiii ivafcr irdofionshrps^
Irrigation soil grouj) and names of soils in each group
Alaxiniiini
rate of
applica-
tion on
flatland ^
Crops locally adapted
for irrigation
Ascragc
depth of
soil to
be irri-
gated
Irrigation soil group 1: Moderately well drained and well drained sandy
loams —
Ashton fiiu^ sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Calvin channei-y fine sandy loam, 3 to 10 jjercent slop<'s, moderately
eroded.
Chewacia gravelly sandy loam.^
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 8 {)ercent shapes.
Ilolston gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Huntington fine sandy loam.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 0 to S ]iercont slopes.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Philo gravelly sandy loam.''
Poi)e fine sandy loam.
Pope gravc^Uy sandy loam.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Irrigation soil group 2:' Moderately well drained loams and silt loams
with a tough, dense, or compact subsoil within about 20 inches of the
surface —
Buchanan gravelly loam, 0 to 3 ])ercent slopes.
Buchanan gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Buchanan gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Landisburg cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Landisburg cherty silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Monongahela gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Monongahela gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Monongahela silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Monongahela silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Monongahela silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Trego gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Trego gravelly silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Irrigation soil group 3: Moderately well drained and well drained, deep
loams and silt loams over unconsolidated sand, silt, and gravel sub-
stratum—
Chewacia silt loam.*
Congaree silt loam and gravelly loam.
Huntington gravelly loam.
Huntington silt loam.
Hinitington silt loam, local alluvium.
Largent silt loam.""
Lindside silt loam.*
Lindside silt loam, local alluvium.''
Philo silt loam.*
Pope gravelly loam.
Pope silt loam.
Warners loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.*
Irrigation soil group 4: Well-drained to excessively drained, medium-
textured soils over fragmented bedrock at a depth of 18 to 24 inches —
Berks channery loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Berks shaly silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
per hour
0. 5
. 5
. 5
. 5
. 5
1. 0
1. 0
1. 0
. 5
. 5
. 5
1. 0
. 5
. 3
. 3
. 3
. 3
. 3
. 5
. 5
. 3
Truck group 1
Truck group 2
Truck group 3
Corn
Sweet corn
Alfalfa
Ladino clover
Grass mi.xturc
Irish potatoes
Tomatoes
Brambles
Orchards (with cover)
Orchards (without cover)
Inches
Truck group 1
Truck group 2
Truck group 3
Corn
Sweet corn
Ladino clover-
Grass mixture.
Tomatoes
Truck group 1
Truck group 2
Truck group 3
Corn
Sweet corn
Alfalfa
Ladino clover
Grass mixture
Irish potatoes
Tomatoes
Brambles
Orchards (with cover)
Orchards (without cover)
Truck group 1
Truck group 2
Truck group 3
Corn
Sweet corn
Alfalfa
Ladino clover.
12
13
18
24
18
27
18
18
18
24
24
27
27
12
15
18
20
20
18
18
20
12
15
18
24
18
27
18
18
24
24
24
27
27
12
15
18
24
18
24
18
See footnotes at end of table.
WASHIXCTON COUNTY, MAI{VL\M)
11.-)
'r.Mii.K S. I ii i(i(tlion soil (jioiips, in'l/t dihi />/((/ mips n/id c(itaiii malcr rcldtionship.'i^- ( oiil iiincd
Ii iifj,:i(ii)ii suil groiij) iiiid naiiu's of soil.s in each group
Maximum
rule of
ajjjjlicii-
lion on
flatland ^
Crops locally adajjlcd
for irritjal ion
Average
depth of
soil to
be irri-
gated
Irrigation soil group 4 — Continued
Ucrks shalv silt loam, 15 to S percent slojM's, moderately eroded.
Berks sluily silt loam, S to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, nuxlerately eroded.
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 10 to 20 jjercent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hazel channery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.^
Litz channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes.
Litz shaly loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Montevallo shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 0 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Irrigation soil group 5: Well-drained loams and silt loams with moder-
ately fine subsoil underlain by bedrock or unconsolidated material —
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Duffield silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Dufficld silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 0 to 12 percent slopes.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 5 to 20 percent slopes, mod-
erately eroded.
Elliber cherty loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Elliber cherty loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Etowah gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Etowah gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Etowah gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Etowah silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Etowah silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Etowah silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Fauquier channery loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Fauquier channery loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Fauquier channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Fauquier silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Faucjuier silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Fauquier silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
See footnotes at end of table.
Inches
per hour
0. 6
. 3
. 3
. 6
. 3
Inchtg
Grass mixture
Tomatoes
Brambles
Orchards (with cover)
Orchards (without cover).
Truck group 1
Truck group 2
Truck group 3
Corn
Sweet corn
Alfalfa
Ladino clover
Grass mixture
Irish potatoes
Tomatoes
Brambles
Orchards (with cover)
Orchards (without cover)
18
24
24
24
24
12
15
18
24
18
27
18
18
24
24
24
27
27
110 SOIL SUKVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
Table 8. — Irrigation soil groups with adapted crops and certain water relationships ' — Continuod
Irrigation soil group and names of soils in each groiij)
Maximum
rate of
applica-
tion on
flalland ^
Crops locally adapted
for irrigation
Average
depth of
soil to
be irri-
gated
Average
available
moisture
capacity
to dei>th
indicated ^
Irrigation soil group 5 — ('onlinued
Frankstown and Dullield channery silt loams, S to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent sloi)es.
Ilagcrstown silt loam, 0 to 8 ])ercent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded,
lligiifield gravelly loam, 0 to 5 ])ercent slojjes.
Highfield gravelly loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded,
llighfield gravelly loam, 10 to 20 j^ercent slopes, moderately eroded,
llolston gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slojies.
Holston gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded,
llolston gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Holston silt loam, 0 to 3 ])ereent slopes.
llolston silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded,
llolston silt loam, 8 to 15 ])ercent slopes, moderately eroded.
I.aidig gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Tjaidig gravelly loam, 3 to 8 ])ercent slo])es, moderately eroded.
Laidig gravelly loam, 8 to 15 jjcrcent slopes, moderately eroded.
IMurrill gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Murrill gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Mnrrill silt loam, 0 to 3 ))ercent slojjes.
Murrill silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slo])es, moderately eroded.
Alurrill silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Myersville channery loam, 0 to 3 pcneent slopes.
Alyersv-ille channerv loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Mj^ersville channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Myersville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Myersville silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Myersville silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Thurmont gravelly loam, 3 to 8 jjercent slopes, moderately eroded.
Thvirmont gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Waj-nesboro gravelly loam, 8 to 15 [percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 10 to 20 jjercent slopes, moder-
ately erod(>d.
Irrigation soil group 6: Well-drained silt loams with a thick, very fine-
textured subsoil underlain by bedrock —
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Dunmore cherty silt loam, S to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Inches
per hour
0. 3
. 3
. 3
. 3
. 3
. 5
. 5
. 5
. 3
. 3
. 3
. 5
. 3
Inches
Truck group 1
Truck group 2
Truck group 3
Corn
Sweet corn
.Alfalfa
Ladino clover
Grass mixture
Irish potatoes
Tomatoes
Brambles , -
Orchards (with cover)
Orchards (without cover)
12
15
18
24
18
27
18
18
18
24
24
27
27
See footnotes at end of table.
WASllI.\(i COUNTY, MAHYLA.ND
TAifiiK S. Iiii(j(tlii>n soil (jroups, vu'/li (nhiphil crojts (iiul ccrtdiii water relatiomhipH^ — Conliiiucd
I 17
Maximum
.\ vorage
Avcrugf!
rate of
depth of
available
Irrigation soil ihi'iil's of soils in cacli H'onj)
api)lica-
Crojjs locally adapted
soil to
moisture
tion on
for irrigation
be irri-
capacity
flatland
gated
to depth
indicated '
Tncfus
peT hour
Corn
Inches
Inchts
Irrigation soil group 7: \\ Cll-draincfl siltv clay loams and clay loams with
0. 3
24
4. 0
a tine to \ ('ry line-text iirrd snl)soil nndcrlain by bedrock —
. 3
Hweet corn
18
3. 0
Henevola cla\' loam, 0 to percent slopes
. 5
Alfalfa
27
4. 5
Benevola clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
. 5
Ladino clover
18
3. 0
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, nioderateh' eroded.
. 5
Grass mixture.. - .
18
3. 0
Corydon clay loam, 0 to '.i i)ercent slopes.
. 3
Irish potatoes .
18
3. 0
Corydon clay loam, 3 to 8 jxjrcent slopes, moderately eroded.
. 3
Tomatoes
24
4. 0
Corydon clay loam, 8 to 1 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
. 3
Brambles
24
4. 0
Hagerstown clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
. 5
Orchards (with cover)
27
4. 5
Ilagerstown clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
. 3
Orchards (without cover)..
27
4. 5
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 1 5 jjcrcent slojies, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown silty clay loam, (1 to 3 percent slopes.
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown silty clay loam, S to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
' Only the best croplands of Washington County, moderately
well drained or better, and suitable for more or less continuous
cultivation (capability classes I, II, and III) are listed in this
table. Xo severely eroded soils are listed.
2 Maximum rates of water application do not apply, except
under ideal conditions on flatlands. The application must be
reduced to suit specific site conditions based on soil structure,
slope, erosion, cropping system, past history of the area to be irri-
gated, and othe factors.
^ The figures for available moisture capacities are strictly esti-
mates, and these are intended to be averages for all soils of the
group. There are some variations between soils within a group,
particularly between those of different structure or different slope
and degrees of erosion.
* These soils are only moderately well drained at best. Adequate
artificial drainage practices must be applied, in most instances,
to make these soils suitable for irrigation. These soils are not
considered suitable for alfalfa, Irish potatoes, brambles, or orchards.
* All soils of this group will need adequate artificial drainage to
make them suitable for irrigation. They are not considered suitable
for alfalfa, Ii-ish potatoes, brambles, or orchards.
" The Hazel channery silt loam is seldom much more than 12
inches deep over bedrock. If irrigation is to be used on this soil,
no more water should be applied than can be stored within this
12-inch surface layer.
Many individual householders, particularly in suburbs
of great cities, have built septic tank systems that later
failed. Most of the failures occurred during wet seasons.
Some of them occurred after an initial period during
which the system appeared to function properly. In-
vestigations have disclosed tliat many, if not nearly all,
of these failures occurred in soils that are not well drained
or that contain a dense or fine-texttired subsoil. In such
a soil the movement of effluent liquid from a septic tank
is slow. In wet weather and for a long time after wet
weather, the soil is saturated, the water table stands near
the surface, and there is no available space for the
effluent. JNIany a householder has discovered, to his dis-
may, that a septic tank installed during dry weather
failed to function after any considerable period of rain.
Other failures have occurred where the soil is steep
(generally more than 8 percent slope), shallow to bedrock
or to a dense substratum, or subject to seasonal flooding
by overflowing streams. Such failures have been fewer,
however, than those resulting from a water table or a
slowly permea1)le soil because they have been more readily
foreseen.
Soil scientists, health officers, and others have worked
together to find out the significance of soil characteristics
that can be observed before a septic tank is installed.
The factors that limit and tliose that favor the function-
ing of septic tanks have been used to characterize, at
least in part, the soils of Washington County. Ex-
perience has shown that modern soil survey maps, the
kind published with this report, can be used to predict
the behavior of a septic tank system with a high degree
of accuracy. It is always necessary, however, to examine
the soil at the exact site. A small, included area of an
unfavorable soil, too small to be shown on the map, might
be there.
The general suitabilities of soils for septic tank sites
are indicated in column 5 of table 7. However, it is
explained in a footnote to table 7 that ratings of fair
or good, as given in the table, should apply only to the
areas of slopes of not more than 8 percent. These ratings
are recorded alphabetically by soil series in table 7; hence,
no particular classification or grouping is apparent there.
The soils of AVashington County have also been grouped
as to their suitability for sewage disposal. Eight groups
have been made for this purpose.
SOIL GROUP 1 FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL
The soils of group 1 for sewage disposal have few,
if any, limitations for this use. They are deep, well-
drained soils over a friable substratum that consists of
deeply weathered rock or other unconsolidated materials.
There is no hindrance to the movement of water or of
effluent, normally, to a depth of at least 6 feet. There
are few, if any, failures of individual tanks on these soils.
Some of the soils have a rather fine-textured sitbsoil that
is somewhat limited in permeability.
118
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 195 9, NO. 17
Although there should be no difficulty with an in-
dividual, family-size septic tank, it is possible that dif-
ficidty might develop if a number of tanks were con-
centrated in a small area. This might occur where lots
are small, as in a closely spaced residential development.
The soils in this group that might develop dilHculties
uiuler such conditions are those of the Benevola, Etowah,
and Ilagerstown series, and perhaps some areas of soils
of the Duffield, Frankstown, and Murrill series. It
should also be pointed out that occasional ledges of lime-
stone may be encountered in some of the soils in group 1.
Ledges will help determine the exact location of an
individual septic tank.
Tlie soils in group 1 for sewage disposal are given in
the following list. A few of the soils have slopes greater
than 8 percent, but tlieir characteristics fit better with
soils of this group than witli any other.
Benevola clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
Benevola clay loam, 3 to 8 percent sloi)es, moderately eroded.
Braddock and Tliurnkont sraveliy loams, 3 to S percent slopes,
miideiately eroded.
Unttield silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Duffield silt loam. 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Edgemont and Laidis channery loams, 0 to 12 percent slopes.
Edgemont and I^aidis very stony loams, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Etowab gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Etowah gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Etowah silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Etowah silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Fauquier channery loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Fauquier channery loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Fauquier silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Faucpiier silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 0 to 3 percent
slopes.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Hagerstowu clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Hagerstown clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Hagerstown, Corydou, and Duffield very rocky silt loams, 0 to 3
percent slopes.
Highfleld gravelly loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Highfield gravelly loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Highfleld very stony loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Holston gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Holston gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes.
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 1.5 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Holston silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Holston silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Laidig gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Laidig gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Murrill gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Murrill silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Murrill silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Myersville channery loam, 0 to 3 percent .slopes.
Myersville channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Myersville channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, .sevei-ely
eroded.
Myersville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Myersville silt loam, 3 to 10 percent .slopes, moderately eroded.
Tliurmont gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, nuMlerately
eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 peix-ent slopes.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, to 10 jierccnt slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
SOIL GROUP 2 FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL
The soils of grouj) 2 for sewage dis[)()sal have the same
general characteristics as those of group 1, except that
the slopes of nearly all of them are between 8 and 15 per-
cent. The steeper soils are less desirable for sewage dis-
posal fields than those of group 1. There is greater
danger of downslope pollution, and the slope increases
the costs of excavating and grading. Tlie soils of the
Benevola, Duffield, Etowah, Frankstown, Hagerstown,
and ^furrill series are somewhat less favorable than the
other soils of the group. In spite of these limitations, the
soils of group 2 for sewage disposal are rated as fairly
suitable for this purpose.
Some of the soils in group 2 have a range of slope
less than 8 percent or greater than 15 percent, but their
characteristics fit better with soils of this group than
with any other.
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Benevola clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, .severely eroded.
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Duffield extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes.
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Duffield silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Duffield very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 5 to 20 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
EUiber cherty loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Etowah gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Etowah silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Fauquier channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Fauquier silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Hagerstown silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Hagerstown very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 8 to 1.5 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
Highfield gravelly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Holston gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
IIolsloii silt loiiin, 8 to 15 porcoiit slopes, inodcrjiloly eroded,
liiiidi}; Ki'avelly loiiin, 8 to 15 i)erceiit sloiics, iiioderalely eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 15 iiereeut sloj)e8, moderately eroded.
]M\irrill gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 i)ereeiit sIoik's, severely
eroded.
.Mm-rill sill luaiii, 8 to 15 jierceiit slopes, iiiodoi'ately eroded.
-Myersville chaiiiiery Iciam. Id l<i lid jxTceiit slopes, moderately
eroded.
Myersville silt loam. Id to 20 percent slojies, moderately eroded.
'I'alladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 0 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Tluirmout gravelly loam, S to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Waynesboro gi-avelly loam. S to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
A\'a.\ nesboro gravelly loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Westmoreland cliannery silt loam. 10 to 20 percent slopes,
modi'rati'ly eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 20 percent sloi)es, severely
eroded.
SOIL GROUP 3 FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Tlie soils of jjroup 3 for sewage disposal are of poor to
very poor suitability for this purpose because they are too
steep. In some selected spots, if a very large area is
available for dispersal, some successful disposal units
miglit be established. In general, however, the soils of
this group should be avoided in selecting sites for septic
tanks.
Most of the soils in group 3 have slopes greater than
15 percent. Several of the mapi^ing units include some
soils having gentler slopes, but they are so stony or sev-
erely eroded that they fit with the steeper soils in their
suitability for sewage disposal.
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams, 0 to 25 percent
slopes.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams, 25 to 45 percent
slopes.
Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams, 45 to 60 percent
slopes.
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 0 to 25 percent slopes.
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes.
Dufiield silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Duffield very rocky silt loam, 8 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 20 to 35 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 35 to GO percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Frankstown extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 25 percent slopes.
Frankstown extremely rocky silt loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes.
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Frederick cherty silt loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Hagerstown extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 25 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Hagerstown extremely rocky silty clay loam, 0 to 25 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Hagerstown extremely rocky .soils, 25 to 45 percent slojies.
Hagerstown silt loam, 15 to 25 jiercent slojies, moderately <'rode:l.
Hagerstown silty day loam, 15 to 25 jiercent slopes, modrTately
eroded.
Hagerstown \ery rocky silt loam, 15 to 15 jiercent slojies, moder-
atel.v eroded.
Hagerstown vei'.v rocky silty clay loam, 15 to 15 jiercent slojies,
mo(leralel.v eroded.
Hagerstown ver.v rock.v soils, 45 to 55 jiercent slopes.
Hagerstown and Dullield silt loams, 25 to 45 percent slojies,
moderately erode(l.
Higlilii'ld gravelly l<iani. 2d to jiei-i-eiit sbijies, iijoderatel.v
eroded.
Higlitield very stony loam, 5 to 30 jiercent slojies.
Iliglilield very stony loam, 30 to 45 jiercent slojies.
Hoist on gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slojies, .severely eroded.
Holston gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
er<ide(l.
Holston gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slojies, moderately eroded.
Laidig gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slojies, moderately eroded.
I..il(lig very stony loam, 8 to 25 jiercent slojies.
I.aidig very stony loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 15 to 25 jiercent slojies, moderately eroded.
Murrill gravell.v loam, 25 to 45 percent slojies, moderately eroded.
Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 jiercent slopes, moderately
er<i(led.
!Miu-rill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 jiercent slopes, severely
eroded.
^Myersville channery loam. 2d to 30 jiercent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Myersville channery loam, 3d to 45 percent slojies, moderately
eroded.
Myersville channery silt loam. 10 to .30 jiei-cent slopes, severely
eroded.
Myersville very stony loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Myersville ver.v stony loam, 30 to 55 percent slopes, eroded.
Rocky eroded land.
Stony rolling land.
Stony steep land.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 10 to 20
Jiercent slopes, severely eroded.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 20 to 30 percent
slopes.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant, 20 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
Westmoreland channery silt loam. 20 to 30 jiercent slopes, severe-
ly eroded.
SOIL GROUP 4 FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Soil group 4 for sewage disposal consists of shallow
to moderately deep soils of the uplands; slopes are no
greater than 8 to 10 percent. The soils are underlain by
bedrock or by slowly permeable clay, generally within
3 feet of the surface. They are not subject to flooding.
Soils of group 4 are intermediate in their suitability
for sewage disposal ; they can be rated as fair, although
some spots are poor. These soils are well drained, and
most of them are readily permeable, but they are under-
lain by bedrock or by heavy clay at a shallow or moder-
ate depth. There is not enough space between the surface
and the bedi'ock or other dense substratum for a large
amount of effluent. Some successful disposal units can be
established on these soils, but the fields, in general, have to
SOIL SUKXKV SKKIKS 1 !».")!>, JVO. 17
be nuK'li larg-er tlian on the luoie suitable soils of sewage
disposal soil group 1. Exaniiuation of the particular
site is especially needed. There is danger of oversatura-
tion of (he soil with sewage, and thus considerable danger
of pollution of other soil areas and of water supplies.
The CorvdoM and Dunniore soils are somewhat less per-
nieabl(> tliau the other soils of this group.
Rerks chaniuM-y loam, ridfjcs, 0 to 10 percent .slopes, moderately
eroded.
P>i'rl<s slialy sill loam, 0 to 8 i)erceiit slo])es.
]!erl<s slialy silt loam, ;{ to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
I?erks silt loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin channery line sandy loam, 'A to 10 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
Calvin channery loam, 3 to 10 i)ercent slopes, moderately erofled.
Calvin shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent .slopes, moderately eroded.
Calviii-Iierks cliannery loams, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin-Montevallo slialy loams, 0 lo 10 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
Chandler silt loam and cli.niiiery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes.
Chandlei- silt loam and channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
Corydon clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Corydon clay loam, 3 to S percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Litz channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slojjes.
I;itz shaly loam. 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
l.itz-Teas ch.inni'i-y silt loams, 0 to S percent slopes.
Montevallo shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent sloi)es, moderately eroded.
SOIL GROUP 5 FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Soil gioup 5 for sewage disposal consists of soils that
are like those of group 4, except in slope. Their slopes
generally range from 8 to 20 percent.
Soils of group 5 are very ))oor for sewage disposal.
Lateral movement of eOluent is likely to be rapid. Thus,
active organisms of the sewage can easily reach the sur-
face by see])age and cause serious risk of pollution.
Berks ( h.innery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 jjercont sloi)es, severely
eroded.
Berks shaly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Berks .silt loam, ridges. 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Calvin channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, mocterately eroded.
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent sl()i)es, moderately eroded.
Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin-Berks thannery loams, 3 to 20 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Calvin-^Iontevallo shaly loams, 10 to 20 percent .slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Corydon clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Corydon extremely rocky clay loam. 0 to 15 percent slopes.
Dunmore cherty silt loam, 8 to lo percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Faufiuier silt loam, shallow, 3 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Hazel channery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Litz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Jjitz-Teas channery silt loams, 8 to i:> percent slojies, severely
eroded.
Montovallo shaly loam, 10 to 20 i)ercent slopes, moderately
eroiled.
SOIL GROUP G FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Soil group 6 for sewage disposal consists of soils sim-
ilar to those in groups 4 and 5, but the soils are so steep or
so shallow as a result of erosion that they are almost
entirely unsuitable for sewage disposal. Most of the
slopes are greater than 15 percent.
Berks channery loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Berks shaly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Berks silt loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately erorle;!.
Berks soils, ridges, 20 to 45 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Berks soils, ridges, 30 to GO percent slopes.
Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 i)ercent slopes.
Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Calvin channery loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes.
Calvin channery loam, 45 to GO percent slopes.
Calvin shaly loam, 20 to 30 i)ercent slopes.
Calvin shaly loam, 30 to 45 jiercent slojies.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 20 to .■'><) i>erceiit slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 30 to GO percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moder-
ately eroded.
Calvin-.Montevallo shaly loams. 20 to 45 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 30 tr) (iO percent slopes.
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes.
Corydon very rocky clay loam, 3 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Eroded land, shale and schist materials.
Hazel channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Hazel channery silt loam. 10 to 20 i)ercent slopes, severely eroded.
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 i>ercent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Hazel channery silt loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes,
liitz shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent .slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 20 to 30 i)ercent sloiies, severely eroded,
liitz shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Litz shaly loam. 30 to 45 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Litz shaly loam, 45 to GO percent slopes.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams. 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely
eroded.
Litz-Teas channery silt loams. 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Montevallo shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded.
Montevallo shaly loam. 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Montevallo shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded.
SOIL GROUP 7 FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Soil group 7 for sewage disposal contains soils that
are very poor or unsuitable for this use. The soils have
impeded drainage and a seasonally high water table, but
they are not subject to flooding.
The percentage of septic tanks that failed to function
properly, as reported in Maryland, is greater on the soils
of group 7 than on those of any other group. It can be
predicted that, with few exceptions, septic tanks on these
soils will fail. The soils have very slowly permeable
subsoil of fine clay or dense, compact silt, or both. Water
moves too slowly in these soils for the effluent to be ab-
sorbed. Little movement can be observed except in the
surface layer. It has been observed, for example, that
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAIO'LANI)
121
the surface layer can be saturated with water wliile the
lower subsoil appears to be only moist. Apparoully, hllle
water can iKMietrate into the subsoil or llir()u<i-]i it.
'I'hc appearance of some of the soils of <»i'<)up 7 foi' sew-
aiiv disposal can be extremely misleadinj^" to a casual or
untrained observer. The soils are on u[)lands, ai e <>ent ly
or moderately sloping, and ai)i)ear to be ideal homesites.
No matter liow pleasant the landscape, liovvever, the soils
are not suitable for disposal of sewage from septic tanks.
The soils of group 7, fortunately, are not extensive.
There are many small spots of them, however, in all parts
of the county. Tlie spots are scattered in nearly all sec-
tions, except in the great limestone valley.
Brinkerton silt loam, 0 to 8 perceut slopes.
Kucluuiau liravelly loam, 0 to 3 iXTcciit slopes.
Bucluuiau iiravoUy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Biieluuiaii gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Bueliaiian jiravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Landisburg cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Landisburg cherty silt k)am. 8 to 25 percent .slopes, moderately
eroded.
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Monongahela gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Alonongahela gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Monongahela silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Monongahela silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Monongahela silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Monongahela silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
Rohrersville silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Trego gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
Trego gravelly silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately
eroded.
Tyler silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
SOIL GROUP 8 FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Soil group 8 for sewage disposal contains the soils that
are subject to flooding and, hence, are unsuitable for this
purpose regardless of their other characteristics.
The Ashton soil of this group is well drained and lies
above many minor floods, but it is likely to be flooded
at high-water stages. The Congaree, Huntington, and
Pope soils are less easily and less frequently flooded than
the rest of the group, but the hazards on them are so
great that septic tanks should not be installed, even
though they might work satisfactorily for most of the
year.
Ashton fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Atkins silt loam.
Chewacla gravelly sandy loam.
Chewacla silt loam.
Chewacla stony silt loam.
Congaree silt loam and gravelly loam.
Dunning and Mclvin silty clay loams.
Huntington fine sandy loam.
Huntington gravelly loam.
Huntington silt loam.
Huntington silt loam, local alluvium.
Largent silt loam.
Lindside silt loam.
Lindside silt loam, local alluvium.
Melvin silt loam.
Philo gravelly sandy loam.
Philo silt loam.
Pope line sandy loam.
Pope gravelly loam.
Pope gravelly sandy loaitj.
Pope silt loam.
Pope stony gravelly lu.-mi.
Terrace escarpments.
Warnci's loam, 0 to S iiercciit slopes.
W'cliadkee silt loam.
This grou[)ing of soils is a guide to Die po.ssibilities
of sewage disposal in ^Vashington ("oimty. For any site
that is doubtful, actual testing of the soil is essential before
a disposal field is ])lanned.
Use of the Soil Survey in
Community Planning
In planning and zoning activities, a county generally
will benefit if a considerable part of the soils suitable
for farming can be reserved for that purpose. However,
as a rule, the soils that are best for farming are also good
for l)uilding sites. An orderly plan for land use, made
by the local people and their representatives, is desirable
to prevent intensive competition for the best soils for
different kinds of use.
In the section preceding this one, the soils have been
grouped according to their suitability for disposal of
sewage, with special reference to the outflow from septic
tanks. The same groups of soils can serve other purposes
in planning uses of suburban land.
Soil groups 1, 2, and 4 for sewage disposal include
most of the soils that make the best farmland. The soils
of these groups should be considered for permanent
farming use as cropland or pasture. Some of the soils
of group 8 also are valuable for farming, even though
they are sometimes flooded. The Asht:on, Congaree,
Huntington, and Pope soils of group 8 are in capability
class I because they have few limitations of any kind
for the production of crops.
In suburban communities land is needed for public
recreational uses. Within practical limits some of the
soils, least valuable for farming, should be reserved for
parks and other public areas. Soils of groups 3, 6, and
7. and .some of those in group 8, can be used to good
advantage for parks and recreation.
The sloping and steep soils of groups 3 and 6 are
almost ideal for parks and other recreational areas. Some
of the steep soils have been eroded, and many areas are
in woods. Steep hillsides and the adjoining narrow bot-
tom lands are not well suited to use as farms or as build-
ing lots.
Parks should be kept in forests, insofar as possible.
A few areas need to be cleared, and many could be re-
forested. Reforestation increases esthetic values and also
helps retard runoff, control erosion, and reduce the dan-
ger of flooding. Protective vegetation is especially val-
uable on the highly erodible soils of groups 3 and 6 for
sewage disposal.
Soils of group 7 for sewage disposal have a very slowly
permeable subsoil and tend to be wet at times, some of
them for a large part of the year. With good surface
drainage and careful disposal of surface water, these
soils can be used as residential sites, provided a com-
plete sewage disposal system is installed so that owners
will not have to depend on septic tanks. The soils of
122
SOIL SHUVKY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
group 7, particularly those that are in scattered, small
areas, can also be used for small community parks.
The soils of groups f, 5, and (> are rather shallow over
hard rock. Tliese soils furnish excellent footings for
industrial })lants or other heavy buildings.
In any area the cost of revegetating or otherwise sta-
bilizing cuts, fills, roadbanks and shoulders, and other
disturbed areas can be an important item. One of the
colnnms of table 7 indicates the general suitability of
topsoil that can be obtained from each of the soils of
the county. Use of good to])soil for facing disturbed
areas helps in the diflicult task of establishing protec-
tive vegetation on them.
Formation and Classification of Soils
Soils are the products of soil-forming processes acting
on materials deposited or accumulated by geologic forces.
The important factors in soil formation are ])arent ma-
terial, cHmate, living organisms, topography, and time.
Factors of Soil Formation
Climate and living organisms, particularly vegetation,
are the active forces in soil formation. Their effect on
the parent material is modified by topography and by
the length of time the parent material has been in place.
The relative importance of each factor differs from ]>lace
to })lace. Occasionally, one factor dominates and fixes
most of the properties of the soil, but normally the in-
teraction of all five factors determines what kind of soil
develo])S in any given place.
Parent material
The soils of Washington County developed fi'om two
general kinds of parent materials. The more extensiA e is
residuum formed by the weathering of rocks in place.
The other consists of sand, silt, clay, and rock fragments
that were transported by water, wind, or gravity, or
by a combination of these agents.
The residual material was derived from many dif-
ferent kinds of rocks. About one-twentieth of the county
is underlain by rocks of igneous origin. But, at some time
since their origin, they have been metamorphosed by
heat, pressure, and movement into what are now the
metabasalts, or so-called greenstones. Upon these rocks
have been developed the soils of the Fauquier, Myers-
ville, and Highfield series. The soils occur chiefly in
Pleasant Valley and in the extreme northeastern part of
the county along the Frederick County line.
Most of the county is occupied by rocks originally of
sedimentary origin. These rocks ai'e made up of fine-
to coarse-grained materials that were deposited in bodies
of water and subsequently transformed into rock by com-
paction, cementation, and chemical and other consolida-
tion processes over long periods of time.
The unaltered sedimentary rocks are of various kinds.
Limestone of various degrees of purity has produced
parent materials of the Ilagerstown, Frankstown, Duf-
field, Frederick, Dunmore, Elliber, Benevola, and Cory-
don soils. The Litz soils are from slightly calcareous,
gray shales. The INIontevallo soils are from acid, gray
shales, the Berks soils from acid, yellow to brown shales,
the Calvin soils from acid, red shales and sandstones, and
the Teas soils from slightly calcareous, red shales and
sandstones. Interbedded shales, sandstones, and lime-
stones have produced tlie Westmoreland soils. Gray to
yellow sandstones, in some places quartzitic, are the parent
materials of the Dekalb and I^^etonia soils, and red sand-
stones, the parent materials of the Lehew .soils.
Other rocks of sedimentary origin have, in early geo-
logic periods, been metamorphosed. Micaceous schists
and phyllites have produced the Hazel and Chandler
soils, and quartzites and (|uartzitic .sandstones are the
parent materials of the Kdgemont soils. The Talladega
.soils are also residual from micaceous schists, but they
have been influenced by admixtures of sandstones and
(juartzite.
The second group of parent materials, as has already
been noted, consists of those which have been transported.
The areas of such deposits are along present or former
watercourses, oi- in foot-slope accumulations of colluvial
debris.
On the most recent alluvial deposits are the flood-))hun
soils of the Atkins, Chewacla, Congaree, l)unning, Hunt-
ington, Largent, Lindside, Melvin, Philo, Po[)e, Warners,
and Wehadkee series. On older alluvial deposits, which
are now in terrace positions above present flood plains,
are the soils of the Ashton, Etowah. Holston, Monon-
gahela, Tyler, and Waynesboro series.
Tlie soils occurring on deposits of colluvial debris of
various kinds include those of the Braddock, Brinkerton,
Buchanan, Landisburg, Leadvale, Laidig, Murrill, Roh-
rersville, Thurmont, and Trego series. There is also some
evidence that the Edgeniont soils of Washington County
may be at least influenced by, if not partially derived
from, colluvial materials.
In age the parent materials of the soils of Washington
County range from very young to very old. The alluvium
deposited on the flood plains during Recent geologic time
is the youngest parent material. New material is added
to these deposits yearly by flooding or overwashing.
Slightly older is the material on the terraces along major
streams; it was deposited during the Pleistocene epoch.
Shales and sandstones on Sideling Hill in the western
part of the county are of Carboniferous age. Most of
the shales and sandstones, and some of the limestones
from Fairview Mountain westward, are Devonian, but
some of them are even older, of the Silurian period.
Most of the rocks of the Great Valley are Ordovician,
but some are Cambrian, as are also the sedimentary rocks
of South Mountain and Elk Ridge (4). Even older,
probably Precambrian, are the metabasalts (5).
Climate
Washington County has a temperate, rather humid
climate that is typical of the Middle Atlantic States.
The average temperatures and the distribution of rain-
fall are given in table 9. Throughout the county, climate
has been a rather uniform factor in soil development.
South Mountain and the other mountains and hills cause
some obstruction to the movement of winds, clouds, and
rainstorms. Thus, there is the possibility that some local
areas might be in a rain-shadow position and might re-
ceive less rainfall than is normal for the county as a
whole.
WASIIlNCroX COUNTY, MAIH I.A.NI)
Tabi.e 9. — ■Temperature and precipitation at (Jhewsville
Bri(l<i<port, Washington County, Md.
ll'Mcx nlion, r)tiO fiTl I
.Month
Temperature '
Precipitation -
Aver-
age
Abso-
lute
maxi-
nmm
Abso-
lute
mini-
mum
Aver-
age
Driest
year
(1930)
Wet-
test
year
(1952)
Aver-
age
snow-
fall
December
January.
February
Winter
IMarch
April
May
Spring
June-
Til 1
July
August _ -
Summer
September
October
November
Fall
Year
"F.
32. 9
30. 8
31. 2
"F.
72
78
76
-13
-27
-20
Inches
2. 61
2. 70
2. 17
Inches
3. 46
1. 45
1. 25
Inches
2. 76
3. 69
1. 31
Inches
5. 3
8. 3
7. 6
31. 6
78
-27
7. 48
6. 16
7. 76
21. 2
41. 2
50. 5
61. 0
88
94
96
-7
9
23
3. 01
2. 97
3. 52
3. 45
2. 49
1. 92
3. 29
7. 80
5. 53
5. 2
1. 0
50. 9
96
-7
9. 50
7. 86
16. 62
6. 2
69. 4
74. 0
71. 9
100
103
104
30
42
39
4. 00
3. 66
3. 87
5. 60
. 69
. 73
3. 88
2. 80
2. 94
0
0
71. 8
104
30
11. 53
7. 02
9. 62
65. 9
54. 4
43. 2
99
95
83
25
19
-4
3. 07
2. 97
2. 26
2. 81
. 24
. 48
5. 58
1. 27
6. 07
(?)
. 1
1. 0
54. 5
99
-4
8. 30
3. 53
12. 92
1. 1
52. 2
104
-27
36. 81
24. 57
46. 92
28. 5
' Average temperature based on a 58-year record, tlirough 1935;
highest and lowest temperatures on a 55-year record, through 1952.
2 Average precipitation leased on a 58-year record, through 1955;
wettest and driest years based on a 58-year record, in the period
1889-1955; snowfall based on a 55-year record, through 1952.
^ Trace.
In a temperate climate tliere are generally leached,
acid soils, and this is true in Washington County. INIany
of the rocks have been weathered to a rather great depth.
Some of the rocks not deeply weathered are highly re-
sistant to the Aveathering processes, and, in some places,
geologic erosion has kept pace with formation of the
regolith. Althottgh large areas of soils in Washington
County have l)een developed from limestone, in only a
few minor places are there any free carbonates remain-
ing in the soils. Most of the soils of the coimty are
acid, whether they developed from acid rocks or from
limestone, and many of them are strongly acid. Fertility
levels range from very low to very high. Many of the
less fertile soils can "be made productive with "^suitable
management.
Living organisms
Before settlement of the county, the native vegetation
made up most of the important living organisms that
affected soil development. The activity of larger ani-
mals was apparently of little importance, with soil ani-
mals, such as earthworms, having a greater effect. The
first settlers in the county found a dense cover of hard-
wood forest. The oaks have been, at least in historic
time, the domiiianl I ices in all sections of flie couiMy.
Oilier imporlant (rccs included iiickory, cheslnnt, maple,
dogwood, and a smaller number of other liardwoods. 'J'lie
chestnut is no longei' pi-esent, e.xcept !is I'ccurring spi-outs
from the bases of trees that were destroye*! by chestnut
blight e;ii-lier in this century. It is doubtful if there
were many conifers before the county was settled.
Jfardwood trees are heavy feeders on calcium and other
basic elements, liases are returned to the surfaf;e of the
soil each year with leaf fall; when the leaves are decom-
])osed, bases reenter the soil and are reutilized by plants.
Thus, we have a never-ending base cycle, and soils in
which the subsoil and pai-ent material furnish a gf)od
supply of basic elements do not easily become highly
leached under forest vegetation. After enough time, liow-
ever, in a climate such as that of Washington County,
all the soils will become leached.
With the development of agriculture in Washington
County, man has affected the character and composition
of the soils. Primary effects have been altering of the
surface by plowing and exposure of the surface to ac-
celerated erosion. The clearing of forests, deep plowing,
introduction of new crops, use of lime and fertilizer, and
some artificial improvement of drainage will be reflected
in the direction and rates of soil formation and in the
fixture morphology of the soil.
Topography
There are three major physiographic divisions in
Washington County. In the east there is the Blue Kidge
(South Mountain) and the associated Elk Ridge, on and
close to the county line. Then, there is the broad, shallow
Great Valley with its gently rolling floor, extending west-
ward to Fairview' Mountain. From the latter mountain
westward to the encl of the county is a succession of low,
but rather sharp, ridges with intervening small valleys
or, in some places, merely ravines; this part is known as
the Appalachian ridge and valley section. Each of these
three great divisions is more or less sharply differentiated
from the adjoining ones.
Within each of the major physiographic areas, there
are soils in three positions : Uplands, colluvial slopes and
old stream terraces, and present flood plains.
Among soils of the 24 series that developed in residuum
from the upland rocks, differences as a rule are more
closely related to the kind of rock than to topography.
Within a soil series, however, the soils on steep slopes
tend to be thinner over the rock than those on gentle
slopes.
In colluvial areas and on stream terraces, there is
generally a relationship betw-een topography and soils.
The ratlier highly oxidized Braddock soils and the less
well-oxidized Thurmont soils occupy sloping to rolling
topography where probably there has always been ade-
quate runoff. In depressions, on similar materials, there
have been developed the poorly drained Eohrersville
soils, where not only fine materials, but also much seepage
and runoff water, have accumulated. All of the soils
of the Braddock, Thurmont, and Eohrersville series are
on essentially the same kind of parent materials, so the
differences cannot be attributed to parent material. The
most obvious explanation is that of differences in topog-
raphy.
124
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
The samo relatioiisliip is essentially true on some of
(lie old alhn ial (erraces. llolston soils, wliicli are niod-
erately oxidized, and (he Waynesboro soils, which are
highly oxidized, occupy the better drained positions;
IMonongahela soils have developed where topography en-
couraged the formation of a dense layer called a fragi-
pan, aixl 'J\ler soils have developed on the finest grained
ma(erials in de[)ressions and other low places. All of
these soils have been formed in alluvium from acid
sandstones and shales. The dillerences in drainage have
resuKed from dillerences in prolile development as in-
liueiiced by topograi)hy.
Time
The lengtli of time the parent material has been in
[)lace and exposed to the active forces of climate and
vegetation is an important, factor in soil formation. The
age of a soil, however, refers to its degree of profile
development and is influenced by other factors as well
as by time. A mature soil is one that has well-defined,
genetically related horizons; an immature soil is one that
shows little or no horizonat ion. Hecause of diffei'ences
in topography and parent material, soils that have been
developing for about the same length of time will not
necessarily have reached the same stage of profile devel-
opment. If the parent rock is resistant and weathers
slowly, profile development is slow. If the slope is steep,
some soil is gradually removed, and manj^ of the soils
lack well-defined horizons. On flood plains, frequent de-
position of fresh alluvium prevents the development of a
mature profile.
In Washington County the Fau([uier soils and the
ITagerstown soils of the uplands are examples of mature
soils; in them, the rate of weathering and soil formation
exceeds the rate of geologic erosion. The Hazel soils of
tlie upland slopes are very immature; in them, the rate
of weathering of the resistant material is slow and is
exceeded by the rate of geologic erosion. The Pope soils
of the flood plains are immature because their parent
material is continually renewed.
Morphology of Soils
Some soils of Washington County liave moderate to
strong horizonation, but the younger soils, in both allu-
vial and residual materials, show very little horizonation.
The dift'erentiation of horizons in soils of the county
is the result of one or more of the following major proc-
esses: (1) Accumulation of organic matter, (2) leaching
of carbonates and salts, (3) chemical weathering of the
primary minerals of rocks and parent materials into
silicate clay minerals, (4) translocation of sihcate clay
minerals, and probably of some silt-size particles, from
one hoi-izon to another, and (5) chemical reduction and
transfer of iron.
In most soils of the county, several of these processes
have operated in the development of horizons. For exam-
ple, the first four processes are reflected in the strong
horizons of such deep, well-drained soils as those of the
Fauquier, HagerstoAvn, and Dunmore series, and all five
processes have had effects on soils of the Monongahela.
Leadvale, and Trego series. On the other hand, only
processes 1 and 5 have had much effect on the Melvin,
Wehadkee, and Atkins soils, and some oi-ganic accumula-
tion (process 1) is the only ob\ious process in the Pope.
Huntington, and (>)ngaree soils. On these soils, however,
any of the processes mentioned above may have taken
place in the soil materials before they were moved and
deposited as new alluvium.
Some organic matter accumulated in all of the soils of
Washington County to form an A, lioriztju. The Aj hori-
zon is thin in most soils, and in the plowed soils it has
lost its identity to become an Ap or part of the Ap
horizon. In a few soils, such as the Dumiing, the Ai
horizon is thicker than the plowed layer. Tlie amount of
organic matter ranges from very low to moderately high.
The soils of the Montevallo series contain so little or-
ganic matter that even in the unidowed soils it is scarcely
apparent. The Dumiing soils lia\ e a thick, prominent Ai
horizon that contains perhaps as much as 5 percent or-
ganic matter.
Leaching has translocated minerals in most of the soils
in the county. The carbonates have been completely
leached out of the A and B horizons of all the soils, except
those of two series. The Warnei-s soils and some areas of
the Melvin soils contain lime. There are some free car-
bonates in the Afelx in, and the Warners soils are marly and
calcareous tliroughout. P>o(h consist of very recently de-
posi(ed material, and there has l^een some rei)leiiisliment
of carl)onates to ofl'set removal of carbonates by leach-
ing. Some other soils of the county, particularly those
of the Lindside series, contain a large amoimt of ex-
changeable calcium, but have no free carbonates. All of
these soils are young, and they would become leached
if they did not receive neutral or lime-bearing sediments
from time to time.
The result of complete weathering in this environment
would be the production of clay that is dominantly
kaolinite (3). Actually, although kaolinite is probably
the most characteristic clay mineral in mature soils of
this area, other clay minerals, such as halloysite, illite,
vermiculite, and montmorillonite, are also present in
many of the soils. Their presence shows that in spite of
the long exposure of minerals during geologic time,
the weathering processes have not yet reached their end
point. The processes may have reached a point where
the soils and their accompanying chemical processes are
in at least temporary equililn-ium with the environment.
Translocation of silicate clay minerals has contributed
strongly to the development of horizons in most of the
soils oif the comity. Silicates have been removed, in
part, from the A horizon of the soils and have become
partly immobilized in the B horizon. This is true in all
the soils that have a textural B horizon, and is probably
true to some slight degree in soils that do not ha^-e a
distinct textural B horizon. The effects of translocation
are illustrated most strongly in the soils that have a
fine-textured B horizon, such as those of the Fauquier,
Waynesboro, Hagerstown, and particularly of the Brin-
kerton and Dunmore series.
The solution and transfer of iron have occurred to
some degree in all the soils, and particularly in the wet
soils. The formation of reduced iron compounds that
give the soil a neutral gray color is known as gleying.
In soils of the Dunning, Brinkerton. Atkins, Melvin,
Tyler, and Wehadkee series, there has been considei-able
WASHINGTON' COUNTY, MARYLAND
12.')
cincnl dl' ii'oii. In llu' dv'wv soils, iiiov I'inciil of iron
has been loss inarkiHl, <iviu'i':illy llirrc Ims liccii \ c
jiuMit J'roni Ihe A to tlx' H liorizon.
In some of the «ivntly slopino- and sli«ililiy (U'pivssed
soils, there has been arcunmlation of flay niinerals and
of silt in the subsoil. This accumulation briniis about Ihe
formation of a horizon, generally a part of the 15 horizon,
that is very dense and compact. This horizon can be
either a claypan or a fragipan. A claypan is a dense
subsoil horizon that has a high content of clay, such as
the subsoil in Tyler soils. A fragipan is a firm, dense,
brittle horizon that, as a rule, contains more silt and sand
thau clay. The Jiuchanan, Landisburg, Leadvale, ^lonon-
gahela, Kohrersville, and Trego soils are examples of
those containing a fragipan. Either claypan or fragipan
causes impeded drainage, which in turn brings about the
reduction and transfer of iron or the gleying that was
mentioned in the preceding pai-agra])h.
Iron that is reduced under conditions of poor aeration
usually is made soluble. It may be removed from the soil
entirely. Counnonly, however, in the soils of Washing-
ton County, it has moved only a short distance and may
have stopped either in the same horizon where it origi-
nated or in another nearby horizon. Part of this iron
may become reoxidized and segregated to form the yel-
lowish-red. strong-brown, or yellowish-brown mottlings
that are connnon in the gleyed horizons of soils and indi-
cate impeded drainage.
When })rimarv minerals are changed to silicate clay,
there is usually some iron set free as a hydrated oxide.
Depending upon the degree of hydration, these oxides
are more or less red in color. A small amoiuit of these
oxides is sufficient to color a soil strongly, particulai-ly
where silicate clay minerals are not in great abundance
and where the parent materials ai*e fairly coarse in tex-
ture. Under these conditions, a strongly colored subsoil,
or "color B'' horizon, is formed, even though there may
not have been enough accumulation of clay minerals to
form a textural B horizon.
In Washington County a B horizon that has strong-
red colors, which indicate the presence of free iron oxides,
is generally also a strong textural B horizon that contains
a definite accumulation of silicate clay minerals. The
most strongly developed B horizons in the county are
those in the Etowali, Fauquier, Hagerstown, Waynes-
boro, and Benevola soils.
A detailed description of one representative profile of
each soil series of the county is given in this repor-t in
the section "Descriptions of the Soils."'
Classification of Soils by
Great Soil Groups
Soils are placed in narrow classes to facilitate the
organization and application of knowledge about their
use and management on individual farms. They are
placed in broad, inclusive classes to facilitate study and
comparison of large areas, such as countries or continents.
In the comprehensive system of soil classification that has
been followed in the United States (2), the soils have
been placed in six categories. Beginning with the most
inclusi^-e category, these are the order, suborder, gi-eat
soil group, family, series, and type.
There arc ihrcc soil orders and thousands of soil types.
'I1ie concepts of subordei' and family liave never been
fully developed. The tyju' and the series are llie cate-
gories most conunonly usetl in discussing the soils of a
county or other small area. Series that are alike in sev-
eral chai-acterist ics are classified as one great soil gi-r)U|).
The great soil groups that are presently recognized
in Washington County are Sols liiains Acides, Podzols,
Gray-Brown Podzolic soils, Ked- Yellow Podzolic soils,
Eeddish-Brown Lateritic soils, Planosols, Humic Gley
soils, Ijow-Ilumic (xley soils, TJthosols, and Alluvial soils.
Many of the soils do not fit the modal or central concept
of any one great soil group. These soils, wliich are called
intergrades, have enough characteristics of a gi\en great
soil group to be included in that group, but they have
one or more characteristics of another group. One great
soil group toward which some of the soils of the county
iutergrade is the group of Terra Rossa soils.
Sols Bruns Acides
Sols Bruns Acides liave a weak Ai horizon and a M-ry
weak A2 horizon, or none at all. The B horizon is dif-
ferentiated almost entirely by color, and its clay content
is the same or only slightly higher or lower than that of
the horizons above and below. By definition, the B hori-
zon is redder or higher in chroma than the A and C'
liorizons. Also, there is little structural development or
differentiation. These soils have a low degree of base
saturation and are generally verj' strongly acid.
Sols Bruns Acides are represented in Washington
County by two series that are typical of this group.
These are the Dekalb and Lehew series.
Podzols
Podzols have a thin, dark-colored Ai horizon, a liglit-
gray An horizon a few inches thick, and a brown or
dai'k-brown Bo horizon over lighter colored parent mate-
rial. The A2 horizon is strongly leached, and the B^
horizon is a zone of accumulation of iron, organic matter,
or both. The degree of base saturation is extremeh' low,
and the soils are very strongly acid to extremely acid.
There is only one Podzol in Washington County. This
is the Leetonia series, found only at higher elevations on
South Mountain.
Gray-Brown Podzolic soils
Of the 52 soil series of Washington County, 14 are
dominated by characteristics of the great soil group
known as Gray-Brown Podzolic soils. These soils are
typical of forested, cool-temperate, humid regions. In
the natural state, a Gray-Brown Podzolic soil has a fairly
thin leaf litter and a rather thin humus layer over a
dark-colored mineral surface layer. There is a grayish-
brown leached subsurface horizon over a moderately
heavy, blocky B horizon. The B horizon may be brown,
yellowish brown, brownish yellow, or reddish bi-own.
The profile is moderately thick to thick. Reaction is most
commonly slightly acid, but may range from medium
acid to neutral.
Ordy one series of soils in Washington Coiuity is rep-
resentative of the central concept of Gray-Brown Podzolic
soils. This is the Duffield series, which consists of soils
that developed from materials high in lime. The soils
of 12 other series are classified as Gray-Brown Podzolic
126
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 19 59, NO. 17
soils, but tliey luive sonic cliurarteristics of other <>-rou[)s.
The Edgemont, EUiher, Fiankstown, Frederick,
Ilrtgerstown, Highlield, IMurrill, Myersville, and West-
moreland series consist of Gray-Brown Podzolic soils
that have some of the characteristics of Red-Yellow
Podzolic soils. They are somewliat more strongly leached
than typical (Iray-Brown Podzolic soils. The Ao horizon
is more strongly bleached, and the B horizon is more
red or yellow and less brown. These intergrades are
characteristically more acid throughout lhan the modal
Gray-Brown l*odzolic soils.
The Berks soils are Gray-Brown Podzolic soils that
have some of the characteristics of Lithosols. Lithosols
are very immature soils being developed from hard rock
material, and they do not have complete horizonation.
The Berks soils are shallow over bedrock of shale and
contain nuich skeletal shale material, but they do have
a faint, though not distinct, B horizon of clay accumula-
tion characteristic of the Gray-Brown Podzolic group.
The Ashton series consists of young or immature Gray-
Brown Podzolic soils being developed from fairly recent,
though not contemporary, alluvium. Horizonation is
w(>ak. The Ashton soils are said to be Gray-Brown Pod-
zolic soils intergrading toward Alluvial soils.
Red-Yellow Podzolic soils
The central concept of this group is that of well-
developed, well-drained, acid soils that have a thin,
organic-mineral Ai horizon, a light-colored, bleached,
and leaclied Ao horizon, and a I'ed, yellowish-red, reddish-
yellow, or yellow, mucli liner textured B horizon. The
pai'ent material is commonly, though not invariably, more
or less siliceous: where it is thick, it is commonly marbled
or otherwise variegated in color. The chroma of the B
horizon is high, G or above. The reaction is normally
sti'ongly acid or very strongly acid.
Representative of the central concept of the Red-Yellow
Podzolic soils are the Braddock, Dumnore, Ilolston,
Thurmont, and Waynesboro series. Perhaps the morpho-
logy of the Waynesboro series most nearly represents
modal Red-Yellow Podzolic soils.
Other soils of the Red- Yellow Podzolic great soil
group are characterized by a fragipan horizon below the
normal B horizon. These fragipans are dense, compact,
platy in structure, normally highly silty, and slowlj^ or
very slowly permeable to water. They obstruct the pene-
tration and development of roots. INIost of them are only
moderately well drained. Morphologically, the soils are
typical Red- Yellow Podzolic soils, but they have also
tlie fragipan horizon. In spite of drainage that is usually
impeded, they are not said to be intergrades toward any
other great soil group, but are simply known as Red-
Yellow Podzolic soils with fragipans.
The soils of Washington County that fall into this
class are those of the Buchanan, Laidig, Landisburg,
Leadvale, Monongahela, and Trego series.
The soils of the Etowah and Fauquier series are inter-
grades to the Reddish-Brown Lateritic group. The B
horizon of these soils closely resembles that of Reddish-
Brown Lateritic soils, which are normally found in sub-
tropical or very warm-temperate climatic zones. These B
horizons are red to dark red, fine textured, and pre-
sumably contain free oxides of iron and aluminum. The
subsoils are porous, and the soils are well drained.
Reddish-Iirown Lateritic soils
Reddish-Brown J^ateritic soils are closely related to,
and have nuich the same geographic distribution as, the
Red-Yellow I'odzolic soils. They have been formed from
less siliceous parent matei-ial ; for example, from material
weathered from basic rocks, such as basalt or limestone.
Thus, the parent materials are commonly lower in quartz
or its etjuivalent and higher in alkaline earth elements,
such as calcium, than those giving rise to Retl- Yellow
Podzolic soils. Reddish-Brown Lateritic soils have a
thick, dark Ai horizon, lack Ao horizon, and are dark in
color in the B horizon. Tlie degree of weathering of
minerals in the soil profile is much the same as for Red-
Yellow Podzolic soils.
The Benevola series is tentatively classified as a
Reddish-Brown Lateritic soil intergrading to the Terra
Rossa group. Benevola soils are comparable to typical
members of the group in features su(;h as color, texture,
structure, and consistence of horizons in the solum. On
the other hand, these horizons are less acid in reaction
than those of typical Reddish-Brown Lateritic soils.
Benevola soils have reddish-brown clay loam surface
layers over dark-red clay subsoils that have conqjound
blocky and granular stnicture. The subsoils are poi'ous,
which is uncommon for clays that are firm when
moist and sticky and plastic when wet. Overlying hard,
sandy limestone or calcareous sandstone, Benevola soils
are neutral to mildly alkaline in reaction throughout the
solum. This is the reason for considering them inter-
gi'ades to the Terra Rossa group, soils found in the
credit erranean region of Europe and Africa, where cli-
mates are much less humid and many soils are calcareous
to the surface.
Planosols
The great soil group known as Planosols is defined as
a group of soils having one or more horizons abruptly
separated from, and sharply contrasting to, an adjacent
liorizon because of cementation, compaction, or high clay
content (8).
There are two such soil series in Washington County,
the Rohrersville and the Tyler. Each has a dense B
horizon that causes the soil to be poorly drained. The
Tyler soils have a clay B horizon, and the Rohrersville
soils have a B horizon of compact, platy, silty clay loam
to sand}' clay loam.
Humic Gley soils
Humic Gley soils are poorly drained or very poorly
drained. They have a thick, prominent A horizon that
has a high content of organic matter and a strongly
reduced or mottled B horizon or subsoil. The mottling
or gleying in some places extends upward into the lower
part of the A horizon.
Only one soil in Washington County is classified in the
Humic Gley great soil group. This is the Dunning series,
which contains the most poorly drained soils in the county.
It occupies recent flood plains, but the soil materials have
been in place long enough to have developed a character-
istic Humic Gley profile.
Low-Humic Gley soils
This great soil group consists of poorly drained soils
that normally have a thin surface horizon that is moder-
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAHVLAM)
127
;i(('l_v lii<^h ill ()ri;;nnc iimltcr, and a molt led or "rlcycd
mineral subsoil. 'Jlicre is <^i'iu'rally sonic Icxiiiral dif-
IVriMil ia( ion bclwoon (he various horizons. Besides alluvia-
tioii, (here is, in many places, .some surface :iccumula( ion
of line ma(erial (hat washed in from adjacent hi<^lier
areas. The Ijow-Iluniic Gley soils differ from the Ilumic
Gley soils in that the hitter have a prominent A horizon
that has a high content of organic matter, and a more
strongly gleyed B horizon.
Only one soil series in (he coun(y is in (lie Low-IIumic
Gley great soil group. This is (he Brinker(()n series. The
soils are wet much of the (ime; (lie high water table is
a result of seepage.
There are three poorly drained soils (hat have char-
acteristics of the Low-Hvmiic Gley group but that grade
toward Alluvial soils. These soils, of the Atkins, Melvin,
and "Wehadkee series, consist of recently deposited flood-
plain sediinen(s and are subject to frequent flooding or
overwasli and (o deposition of new material on the surface.
Lithosols
A Lithosol has an incomplete solum or no clearly ex-
pressed soil morphology. It consists of an imperfectly
weathered mass of rock fragments, and normally has an
incii)ient A horizon but no B horizon. Lithosols are
generally confined to steeply sloping areas, or to areas
of very resistant rock where geologic erosion has removed
soil as fast as it was formed.
Eight soil series in AVasliington County belong to this
group, but onh^ three of them fit the central concept of
Lithosols. These are the Chandler, Hazel, and Monte-
vallo series.
The Corydon series is a Lithosol with some additional
characteristics of Gray-Brown Podzolic soils. It consists
of sliallow clay loam underlain by and developing from
limestone, and has a few to many rock outcro])s. It has
a very weakly developed B horizon, somewhat like that
in the Gray-Brown Podzolic soils.
The Calvin, Litz, and Teas soils are Lithosols that inter-
grade toward Sols Bruns Acides. They have a very
weakly developed B horizon that resembles tliat of the
Sols Bruns Acides. The normal or modal Talladega soil
would be a true Lithosol, but only a thick variant is
mapped in Washington County, and this variant is an
intergrade toward Red- Yellow' Podzolic soils.
Alluvial soils
Alluvial soils consist of deposits of recent alluvium on
flood plains. They have little, if any, horizonation or
other significant observable effects of true soil-forming
processes. Although they are composed of soil in the
general agricultural sense, they are little more than parent
materials in the genetic sense", even though the soil par-
ticles may once have been parts of genetic soils at other
locations.
The Chewacla, Congaree, Huntington, Largent, Lind-
side, Philo, Pope, and Warners series consist of Alluvial
soils. The Congaree, Huntington, and Pope soils are
deep and well di-ained. They have no horizonation, ex-
cept for some slight accumulation of organic matter near
the surface. They have no impediment to internal drain-
age, although they may be in positions that are flooded.
Soils of the Chewacla, Largent, Lindside, and Philo
series are moderately well drained or somewhat poorly
599553—62 9
di'aiiied. I'x'caiise (he wa(er (al)l(' is high for a fairly
large pari of each yeai', (here is some e\ ideiic(! of slight
gleiza(ioii in (he lower ])ar( of (lie subsoil. TIk^v are,
however, wi(hin (he ceiUral concept of Alluvial soils.
The Warners soils have variable drainage; (hey are
poorly drained in many places and modera(ely well drain-
ed in others. They consist of marly alluvium tha( has
been somewhat darkened in (he surface layer by organic
ma((er, but (liey have little oilier e\ideiice of genetic
horizonation.
Literature Cited
(1) Amehican Association of State Highway Officials.
1955. standard specifications for highway materiai,s
AND methods of SAMPLING AND TESTING. Ed. 7,
2 v., illus.
(2) Baldwin, Mari^, Kellogg, Charles E., and Thorp, .Tames.
1938. soil classification. In U.S. Dept. Agr. Ybk.,
Soils and Men, pp. 979-1001.
(3) Brancato, G. N.
1951. THE climate' of WASHINGTON COl'NTY. In The
Physical Features of \\'ashington Count}-, pub-
lished by the Maryland Board of Natural Re-
sources, Dept. of GeoL, Mines and ^^'ater
Resources, pp. 254-2(56. Waverly Press, Balti-
more.
(4) Cloos, Ernst.
1951. stratigraphy of sedimentary rocks. In The
Physical Features of Washington County, pub-
lished by the Maryland Board of Natural Re-
sources, Dept. of (ieol., Mines and Water
Resources, pp. 17-94. Waverly Press, Balti-
more.
(5)
1951. igneous rocks. In The Physical Features of
Washington County, published by the Maryland
Board of Natural Resources, Dept. of GeoL,
Mines and Water Resources, pp. 95-97. Wav-
erly Press, Baltimore.
(6) Hamilton, A. B.
1956. comparative census of Maryland agriculture
BY counties. Univ. of Md. Ext. Serv., Misc.
Ext. Pub. No. 32f, 52 pp.
(7) Matthews, Earle D.
1960. SOIL survey, FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND. U.S.
Dept. of Agr., Soil Conserv. Serv., in coop, with
Maryland Agr. Expt. Sta., Soil Survev Ser. 1956,
No. 15, 144 pp., illus.
(8) Thorp, James, and Smith, Guy D.
1949. HIGHER categories OF SOIL classification: order,
SUBORDER, AND GREAT SOIL GROUPS. Soil Sci.
67(2): 117-126.
(9) U.S. Department of Agriculture.
1951. soil survey manual. U.S. Dept. Agr. Handb. 18,
503 pp., illus. [Replaces U.S. Dept. Agr. Misc.
Pub. 274, the Soil Survey Manual Pub. 1937.]
(10) Waterway's Experiment Station, Corps of Engineers.
1953. UNIFIED SOIL classification system. Tech. Memo.
No. 3-357, v. 1.
Glossary
AASHO classification (engineering). The system of soil classifi-
( atidu (if the American Association of State Highway Officials.
Alluvial soil. A soil ou a flood plain, consisting of essentially
unaltered allnviniii.
Alluvium. Fine material, as sand, silt, or clay, deposited on laud
by streams or rivers.
Bases. The positive, generally metallic elements or combination
of elements that make up the nonacidic plant nutrients. The
most important of these in plant nutrition include calcium
(Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and ammonium
(NHO.
12.S
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
California bearing ratio (onKineering). Tlic rat io of I lie al)ilit.v
ol' a soil lo support wciulii, lo ilial of a standard cnislicd
liiiu'sloiH', lirst standardized in (.'alifornia : aljlircviatod CVAi.
Thus, a soil with a ("HU of l(i would support 1C> lu'rcont
of the load that would he suijported hy the crushed limestone,
per unit area and with the same degree of distortion.
Channery. Containing hetween 15 and 50 percent Hat fragments
of sandstone, limestone, or schist uji to (i inches along the
tlie longer axis.
Clay. SnuiU mineral soil grains, less than ().()()2 millimeter
( ().(i()(H)7!> ini-h) in diameter; individual grains generally in-
\isilile ev(>n under an oi'dinary microst-op(>.
Claypan. .V soil horizon or layer rich in clay and separale(l
abruptly from the overlying layers; normally rather comi)act
or massive.
Cobbly. Containing hetween 1.") and SO jiercent rounded or par-
tially rounded fragments of rock ranging from ;{ to 10
inches in (liainet<>r.
Colluvial fans and cones. Formations at the foot of a slope made
up of ( (illinium.
Colluvial .soil. A soil at a foot slope or in a depression, consisting
of colhnium.
Colluvium. Deposits of soil nuiterial and rock fragments accumu-
lated at the bases of slopes through the influence of gravity,
in s )me cases assisted by the How of water. Such dei)osits in
some places are very small and local ; in other places,
they are very hirge and extend for great distances out
over \alley tloors.
Complex, soil. An intimate mi.xture of areas of different soils,
that cann.)t be indicated separately on a nuip of the scale
used, and are therefore mapped together as a unit.
Dispersion, soil. The breaking d(»wn of aggregated clumps of soil
particles into individual grains of clay, silt, or sand.
Diversion, or diversion terrace. Any ridge of earth, generally a
terrace, that is built to divert runoff water from its natural
course and. thus, lo pi-otect downslop(> areas from the effects
of such runoff.
Fragipan. A very compact soil horizon, rich in silt and generally
relatively low in clay; normally, strongly platy in structure
and interfering with the penetration of roots and water.
Gleization or gleying. The reduction, translocation, and segrega-
tion of soil compounds, notably of iron, normally in subsoils
or substrata : a result of poor aeration and drainage, ex-
liressed in the soil by mottled colors dominated by gray.
Gravelly, (^)ntaining between 15 and 50 percent rounded or
angular fragments of rock, not prominently flattened, up
to 3 inches in diam(>ter.
Great soil group. A broad group of soils having internal soil
characltuistics in common. It includes one or more soil fam-
ilies, and generally a great number of soil series.
Hydrologic soil groups. Groups of soils having similar rates of
inrtltration by water, even when wetter, and similar rates
of water transmission within the soil. There ai-e four such
groups of soils currently recognized by the Soil Conservation
Service.
Group A. Soils having a high infiltration rate even when
thoroughly wetted, consisting chiefly of deep, well-
drained to excessively drained sand and/or gravel.
These soils have a high rate of water transmission
and will have a low runotf potential.
Group B. Soils having a moderate inflltration rate when
thoroughly wetted, consisting chiefly of moderately
deep to deep, moderately well drained to well drained
soils with moderately fine to moderately coarse tex-
tures. These soils have a moderate rate of water trans-
mission, and will have a moderate runoff potential.
Group C. Soils having a slow inflltration rate when
thoroughly wetted, consisting chiefly of (1) soils with
a layer that impedes the downward movement of
water, or (2) soils with moderately fine to fine tex-
ture and slow infiltration rate. These soils have a slow
rate of water transmission, and will have a high
runoff potential.
Group D. Soils having a very slow infiltration rate when
thoroughly wetted, consisting chiefly of (1) clay soils
with a high swelling potential. (2) soils with a high
permanent water table, (3) soils with a claypan or
a clay layer at or near the surface, and (4) shallow
soils over nearly impervious materials. These soils
have a very .slow rate of water transmission, and will
have a very high runoff potential.
Igneous rock. A rock formed l>y the .solidilicat ion of molten jiri-
m.iry rock material or magma.
Internal drainage. That quality of .soil that jH-rmits the down-
wai-d flow of excess water through it.
Liquid limit. The moisture content at which a soil material
passes from a jilastic to a liquid (free-flowing) state.
Low-Humic (Jley soils. A great soil group in which the soils are
characterized by a weak Ai horizon over a mottled or
partially gleyed mineral B horizon that is normally some-
what finer in texture than the A horizon.
Maximum density. The greatest amount of soil that can be
compacted into any unit of volume; oxi)res.sed as jxiunds
of dry soil per cubic foot.
Mechanical analysis of soil. The determination of the percentage
of the soil particles of all sizes — gravels, sands, silts, clays,
and all their standard subdivisions; based on the mineral soil
only, free of wiiter and organic matter, drain .size refers to
the size limits of any particular fraction of the si)il, and
grain size dixtributio)! refers to the proportions of the
various-sized fractions in tlie whole mineral soil.
Metamorphic rocks. Rocks of any origin that have been so
altered by heat, pressure, and movement that their j)hysical
nature lias become completely changed. Such rocks are
nearly always crystalline.
Morphology, soil. The ])hysical constitution of the soil, expressed
in the kinds of siil horizons, their thickness and arrange-
ment in the itrolile, ami the texture, sti-ucture, consistence,
porosit.v, and color of each horizon.
Poorly graded (engineering). A soil consisting of particles chiefly
of the same or very nearly the same size or diameter; having
a narrow range of particle size and, thus, poor grain-size
distribution. Such a soil can be increased in density only
slightly hy compaction.
Reaction, soil. The degree of acidity of the soil expressed in i)II
\alues, or in words, as follows:
/>// pH
Kxtremely acid below 4..'5 Mildly alkaline 7.4 to 7.8
Very strongly acid 4.5 to 5.0 Moderately alkaline 7.9 to 8.4
Strongly acitl 5.1 to 5.5 Strongly .alkaline 8.5 to 9.0
-Medium acid 5. G to 6.0 Very strongly alkaline 9.1 and
Slightly acid 6.1 to 6.5 higher
.Neutral G.6 to 7.3
Ked-Yellow Podzolic soils. A great soil group in which the soils
are characterized by a thin, organic-mineral Ai horizon, a light-
colored, bleached, leached Aj horizrin, and a flner textured, I'ed
to yellow B horizon ; acid ; base saturation in the B horizon
is normally less than 35 percent and decreases with depth.
Rocks. The principal kinds of rocks in this county are —
Chert. A flintlike rock, generally found as an impurity in
limestone or other sedimentary rocks.
Limestone. A rock made up principally of calcium carbonate,
or, in some cases, magnesium carbonate.
Metaandesite. A metamorphosed igneous rock moterately
rich in iron and other metallic elements ; chemically similar
to andesite.
Metabasalt. A metamorphosed igneous rock very rich in iron
and other metallic elements; chemically .similar to basalt.
Metarhyolite. A rock similar to metaandesite but lower in
ircm and other metallic elements ; chemically similar to
granite.
Phyllite. Refers to the appearance or shape of a rock, mean-
ing leaflike ; thin, flattened, and generally .slightly wavy
or crinkled.
Quartz. A mineral that consists of silica, Si02.
Quartzite. A sandstone or other quartz-bearing rock that has
been altered by heat and pressure mitil it is definitely
fused.
Sandstone. A rock made up chiefly of grains of silica sand
cemented together.
Schist. A rock, originally either sedimentary or igneous, that
has been altered by heat and pressure until it is crystalline
and has a foliated structure, and is more or less easily split
into slabs or sheets.
Shale. A rock made up of grains of silt or clay, or both,
sometimes with a little sand, that have been cemented
together ; normally occurs in masses of flattened fragments.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
120
Sand. Ilock or ininoral fragineuts, visible to the normal naked
vyo, l)(M\v(<(Mi 0.05 nnllinicter (0.002 inch) and 2.0 niiliuieter.s
(O.OTl* iiirli) in (liuiiictor. As a textural class, a soil that is
!)(> iiorcoiit or niori> .siuul.
Sedimentary rock. Uock formed by the consolidation of any of
many kinds of sedimenl. Sandstone, shale, and limestone are
common sedimentary rocks.
Shaly. Refers to .soil material of wliicli l.'j to 50 in'rccnt consists
of flattened fra.uineiUs of sliale less than (! inches alons; the
lons'er axis. A sin>;le i)iece is a shale fragment. I^arger frag-
ments are fhn/s av fldt/stoHcs.
Shrink-swell potential. Tli(> ability of a soil to lo.se Vdhinic willi
a loss in water content and to gain volume with an increase
in water content.
Silt. Small naneral soil grains ranging from 0.002 nullimeter
(O.OOOOTi) inch) to 0.05 millimeter (0.002 inch) in diameter;
not visible to the naked eye but readily vi.sil)le under a
microscope.
Soil consistence. The characteristics of soil material that are
expressed by the degree and kind of cohesion and adliesion,
or by the resistance of the soil material to deformation or
rupture. When dry, a sail is said to be loo.sc, soft, slightly
hani, liiinl, rcnj hard, or c.rtrcinel ii hard. When moist, a soil
is said to be loose, very friable, friable, firm, very firm, or
extremely firm. When wet, a soil is said to be nonplustic,
slifjhtJy i)lastic, plastic, or very plastic, and also nonsticky,
slifihtlii sticky, sticky, or very sticky.
Soil erosion. The removal of soil material by geologic agencies,
principally wind and running water. Accelerated erosion refers
to loss of soil material brought about by the activities of man.
Soil erosion in Washington County is most commonly caused
by water and can be classified as sheet erosion (the removal
of soil material without the development of conspicuous
channels), rill erosion (which produces small channels), and
yiilly erosion (which produces large channels).
Soil horizon. A layer of soil, approximately parallel to the sur-
face, having characteristics produced by soil-forming proc-
esses and differing in one or more ways from adjacent horizons
in the same soil profile.
A horizon. The master horizon, consisting of (1) one or more
mineral horizons of maximum organic accumulation; or (2)
surface or subsurface horizons that are lighter in color than
the underlying horizon and have lost clay minerals, iron,
and aluminum, with resultant concentration of the more
resistant minerals; or (3) hoi'izons belonging to both of
these categories.
B horizon. The master horizon of altered material characterized
by (1) an accumulation of clay, iron, or aluminum, with
accessory organic matter; or (2) blocky or prismatic struc-
ture together with other characteristics, such as stronger
colors, unlike those of the A horizon or the underlying
horizons of nearly unchanged material; or (3) character-
istics of both these categories. Commonly, the lower limit of
the B horizon corresponds with the lower limit of the solum.
C horizon. A layer of unconsolidated material, relatively little
affected by organisms and presumed to be similar in
chemical, physical, and mineralogical composition to the
material from which at least a portion of the .solum has
developed.
D horizon. Any stratum underlying the C horizon, or the B if
no C is present, which is unlike the C or unlike the material
from which the solum has been formed.
Any major horizon (A, B, C, or D) may or may not consist of
two or more subdivisions or subhorizons, and each sub-
horizon in turn may or may not have subdivisions. For the
kinds of subdivisions that may exist, along with their
designations and definitions, the reader is referred to the
Soil Surve.v Mainial.
Soil permeability. That quality of a soil that enables it to trans-
mit water or air.
Soil profile. A vcrlical section of IIji- miII lliioii;;b mII liorizons
and extending into tiu! jiarent material. (See also I'arent
material ; Soil horizon.)
Soil series. A group of soils having the same profile character-
istics, and the same general range in color, structure, con-
sistence, and sequence of horizi>ns ; tin; same? general conditions
of relief and drainage; and generally a common or similar
origin ami mode of formation.
Soil structure. The arrangement of the indi\i(lual soil particles
into aggregates that ha\e definite sliape and pattern. Common
kinds of structure in Washington (jounty are sini/lc f/rain,
cnunh. (/raniilar, blocky, si< liinif/nlar hlockii, platy, and massive.
Soil texture. The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay jtar-
ricles in the soil. A coarse-textured soil is one high in sand;
a tine-textured soil coidains a large proportion of clay. (See
Saiul; Silt; Clay.)
Soil type. A subdivision of the soil series based on the texture
of the surface soil; for example, in the Huntington .series in
Wa.shington County there are 3 types — Huntington fine sandy
loam, Huntington gravelly loam, and Huntington silt loam.
Sols Bruns Acides. A great soil group in which the soils are
characterized by a weak Ai horizon, a very weak A2 horizon or
none, and a B horizon that is differentiated almost entirely
by color ; no significant increase in clay minerals in the B
horiz(ni as compared to the A horizon ; little structural
development; low degree of base saturation and very strong
acidity.
Solum. The genetic soil developed by soil-fornuug processes ; the
A and B horizons; does not include the parent material (C
horizon) .
Stony. Containing enough stones more than 10 inches in diameter
to interfere with, but not prevent, cultivation of inlertilletl
cro])s. A very stony soil contains enough stones to make
tillage impractical and to bar the use of farm machinery.
Subgrade (engineering). The substratmn, either in-place or fill
material, prepared for highway construction : does not include
stalnlized base course or actual paving materials.
Subgrade modulus (engineering). The resistance of the soil to
UTiit areas displacement under load, expressed in pounds per
square inch. Hence, if a load of 1,000 pounds on 100 square
inches of surface penetrates 1 inch, the modulus is 10.
Subsoil. Technically, the B horizon of a soil ; in more general
terms, that part of the soil profile below plow depth.
Substratum. Any layer beneath the B horizon ; may be a con-
forming (C) horizon or an unconforming (D) horizon.
Surface soil. That part of the upper profile, to a depth of about
8 inches, normally disturbed by plowing ; more technically, the
A horizon.
Terrace (geological). An old alluvial plain, commonly flat or
smooth but in some places sloping and dissected, bordering a
stream, a lake, or the sea ; frequently called a second bot-
tom, as contrasted to the present flood plain ; seldom subject
to overflow.
Undifferentiated mapping unit. A soil mapping unit that consists
of two or more soils or land tyijes that are not ordinarily
geographically associated.
Unified soil classification system (engineering). The system
of mechanical soil classification of the Corps of Engineers,
Department of the Army. Used by the Soil Conservation Serv-
ice, The Bureau of Reclamation, and other agencies and
organizations in works dealing with soils engineering.
Upland (geological). Land consisting of materials unworked by
water in recent geological time and ordinarily lying at higher
elevations than the alluvial plains and the terraces.
Well graded (engineering). A soil consisting of particles well
distributed over a wide range hi size or diameter. Such a
soil normally can be easily increased in density and bearing
properties by compaction.
130
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
CUIDK TO MAPPING UNITS
[See table 4, p. 9, for the approximate acreage and proportionate extent of the soils, and table 5, p. 54, for estimated average acre yields.
To learn about use of the soils for woodland, see the section beginning on p. 81 ; for information about the engineering uses of the soils,
including us(> for irrigation and for sewage disposal, see the section beginning on p. 84. Dashes indicate soil not suitable for irrigation]
Map
symbol Mapping unit Page
AsB Ashton fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes 13
At .\tkins silt loam 14
BaA Benevola clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 15
BaB2 Benevola clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moder- 15
ately eroded.
BaC2 Benevola chiy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod- 15
erately eroded.
BaC3 Benevola clay loam, 8 to 1 5 jjercenl slopes, sev- 15
erely eroded.
BcB2 Berks channery loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent 15
slopes, moderately eroded.
BcC2 Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent 15
slopes, moderately eroded.
BcC3 Berks channery loam, ridges, 10 to 20 p(>rcent 15
sloj)es, severely eroded.
BcD2 Berks channery loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent 15
slopes, moderately eroded.
BeB Berks shaly silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes 15
BeB2 Berks shaly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, mod- 16
erately eroded.
BeC2 Berks shaly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod- 16
erately eroded.
BeD2 Berks slialy silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, 16
moderately eroded.
BkB2 Berks silt loam, ridges, 0 to 10 percent slopes, 16
moderatelv eroded.
BkC2 Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, 16
moderately eroded.
BkC3 Berks silt loam, ridges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, 16
severely eroded.
BkD2 Berks silt loam, ridges, 20 to 30 percent slopes, 16
moderately eroded.
BoE3 Berks soils, ridges, 20 to 45 percent slopes, sev- 16
erely eroded.
BoF Berks soils, ridges, 30 to 60 percent slopes 16
BrB2 Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 3 to 8 17
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
BrC2 Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 8 to 15 17
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
BrD Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loams, 15 to 17
25 percent slopes.
BtB Brinkerton silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes 17
BuA Buchanan gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. _ 18
BuB2 Buchanan gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, 18
moderately eroded.
BuC2 Buchanan gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, 18
moderately eroded.
BuD2 Buchanan gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, 18
moderately eroded.
CaB2 Calvin channery fine sandy loam. 3 to 10 percent 18
slopes, moderately eroded.
CcB2 Calvin channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, 19
moderately eroded.
CcC2 Calvin channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, 19
moderately eroded.
CcD Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes.. 19
CcD2 Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, 19
moderatel.v eroded.
CcE Calvin channery loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes.. 19
CcF Calvin channery loam, 45 to 60 percent slopes. . 19
CmB2 Calvin shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, mod- 19
erately eroded.
CmC2 Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, mod- 19
erately eroded.
CmC3 Calvin shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, se- 19
verely eroded.
CmD Calvin shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes 19
CmE Calvin shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes 19
CnB2 Calvin-Berks channery loams, 0 to 10 percent 19
slopes, moderately eroded.
Woodlnnd
Seivage
Capabilitij
Irrigation
suitubililjj
disposal
unit
Page
■soil group
Page
group
Page
group
Page
16
65
1
114
Fl
82
8
121
IIIw-l
74
FI
82
121
IIs-1
69
1 17
I'l
82
1
1 17
IIe-19
68
] 1 7
11
82
1
1 1 7
IlIe-30
73
7
1 17
Fl
82
2
118
I\'e-1
75
Fl
82
2
118
IIs-7
70
4
1 11
F2
83
4
119
IIIe-32
73
4
1 14
F2
83
5
120
IVe-32
77
F2
83
5
120
IVe-32
77
F2
83
6
120
III.s-2
74
4
114
F2
83
4
119
IIIs-2
74
4
1 1 4
F2
83
4
1 19
T\'e 32
4
1 1 4
F2
83
5
120
Me-3
78
F2
83
6
120
IIs-7
70
4
114
F2
83
4
119
ITIe-32
73
4
114
F2
83
5
120
IVe-32
77
r2
83
5
120
IVe~32
77
F2
83
6
120
Vne-3
80
F2
83
6
120
Vne-3
80
F3
83
6
120
IIe-4
!;
o
Fl
82
1
1 17
Iire-4
70
5
1 15
Fl
82
2
118
1 * e o
Fl
82
3
119
IIIw-1
74
Fl
82
7
120
IIw-1
68
2
"ii4
F2
83
7
120
JIe-13
67
2
114
F2
83
7
120
II]e-13
72
2
114
F2
83
7
120
IVe-9
76
F2
83
7
120
IIe-10
67
1
114
F2
83
4
119
IIe-10
67
4
114
F2
83
4
119
IIIe-10
71
4
114
F2
83
5
120
IVe-10
76
F2
83
6
120
IVe-10
76
F2
83
6
120
^Te-3
78
F2
83
6
120
Vne-3
80
.
F2
83
6
120
IIIs-2
74
"114
F2
83
4
119
IVe-32
77
4
114
F2
83
5
120
VIe-3
78
F2
83
5
120
VIe-3
78
F2
83
6
120
VIIe-3
80
F2
83
6
120
IIs-7
70
4
'ii4
F2
83
4
119
WASHINGTON rOTINTY, MAHYLANI)
131
GUIDK TO
Map
symbol Mtipiniiij iiiiil l'<i!l'
CnC2 Ciilvin-R(M-ks phiuuu'ry loams, 10 to 20 pcrccnl 19
slopes, inod(>rately eroded.
CnC3 Calvin- Herks ehaiiiierv loams, 3 to 20 perccnl, Id
slo])es, severely eroded.
CnD2 Calviii-Herks ehainierv loams, 20 lo 30 pereeiil 19
slopes, moderately eroded.
CnF2 Calvin-Perks elia]ui(>rv loams. 30 to (iO percent, 10
slopes, moderately eroded.
CoB2 Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 0 to 10 |)ercent 10
slopes, moderatelv eroded.
CoC2 Calvin-Montnvallo shaly loams, 10 to 20 pereent 10
slopes. moderat<>lv eroded.
CoD2 Calvin-MoiHi-vallo shaly loams, 20 to 30 percent 10
sk>pes, moderately eroded.
CoE3 Calvin-Mont ewallo shaly loams, 20 to 45 percent 20
slopes, severely eroded.
CoF Calvin-.Montevallo shaly loams, 30 to 60 percent 20
slo])es.
CrB Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 0 to 20
1(1 I ercenl sloja'S.
CrB2 Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 3 to 20
10 percent slo];es, moderatel\ eioded.
CrC2 Cliandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 10 to 20
20 percent slopes, nioderately eroded.
CrD Chandler silt loam and channery silt loam, 20 to 20
30 percent slopes.
Cs Chewacla ijravellv sandy loam 21
Ct Chewacla silt loain 21
Cu Chewacla stony silt loam 21
Cv Con'iaree silt loam and gravell}' loam 21
CwA Corydon clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 22
CwB2 Corydon clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moder- 22
ately eroded.
CwC2 Corydon clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mod- 22
erately eroded.
CxC Corydon extremely rocky clay loam_, 0 to 15 per- 22
cent sl()])es.
CyE2 Corydon ^(•ry rocky clay loam, 3 to 45 pereent 22
slopes, moderately eroded.
DeD Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams, 22
0 to 25 percent slo]5es.
DeE Dckall) and Leetonia ^•ery stony sandy loams, 22
25 to 45 i)ercent slopes.
DeF Dekalb and Leetonia very stony sandy loams, 23
45 to 60 percent slopes.
DkD Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 0 to 25 23
percent slopes.
DkE Dekalb and Lehew very stony loam.s, 25 to 45 23
percent slopes.
DmA Duffield silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 23
DmB2 Duffield silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moder- 23
ately eroded.
DmC2 Duffieid silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moder- 23
ately eroded.
DmD2 DufReid silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moder- 24
ately eroded.
DmD3 DufReid silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, severely 23
eroded.
DuC Duffield extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 15 per- 23
cent slopes.
DvC Duffield very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent 24
slopes.
DvE2 Duffield very rocky silt loam, 8 to 45 percent 24
slopes, moderately eroded.
DyB2 Dunmore cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, 24
moderately eroded.
DyC2 Dunmore cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, 24
moderately eroded.
Dz Diuming and Melvin silty clay loams 25
EdC Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 0 to 12 25
percent slopes.
EdD2 Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 5 to 20 25
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
EdE2 Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 20 to 35 26
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
EdF2 Edgemont and Laidig channery loams, 35 to 60 26
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
UNITS Continued
\V iioilldiiil
Sfwugn
( '(I paliililii
/ rritjill ion
auilahililij
flixpo/ifil
II ri it
xoil (/roii/i
/ i/t'
(/roup
Paf/r,
group
I lie 32
73
4
1 1 1
I'2
83
5
120
IVe 32
77
J'2
83
5
120
l\ e 32
77
1'2
83
6
120
Vile 3
80
F2
83
G
120
Ills 2
74
4
114
F3
83
4
] 19
n'e 32
77
4
1 14
F3
83
5
120
Vie 3
78
F3
83
6
120
VIIe-3
80
F3
83
6
120
Vlle-S
80
F3
83
6
120
lie- 10
67
4
114
F2
83
4
119
lie- 10
67
4
114
F2
83
4
119
IVe- 10
76
F2
83
5
120
Vie- 3
78
F2
83
120
IIw— 7
69
1
1 1 4
Fl
82
8
121
IIw-7
69
3
114
Fl
82
8
121
Vs-2
77
Fl
8
121
1-6
65
3
114
Fl
82
8
121
Ills 2
74
117
F2
83
4
119
IIIe-30
73
7
117
F2
83
4
119
IVe-1
75
7
117
F2
83
5
120
VIIs-l
80
F2
83
5
120
VIs-1
79
F2
83
6
120
VI Is -2
80
F4
83
3
119
VIIs-2
80
F4
83
3
119
VIIs-2
80
F4
83
3
119
VIIs-2
80
F3
83
3
119
VIIs-2
80
F3
83
3
119
I-l
64
5
115
Fl
82
I
117
IIe-1
65
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
IIIe-1
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
118
IVe-1
75
Fl
82
3
119
IVe-1
75
Fl
82
2
118
VIIs-1
80
Fl
82
2
118
VIs-1
79
Fl
82
2
118
VIs-1
79
Fl
82
3
119
IIe-1
65
a
1 1 Pi
1 i o
4
119
IIIe-1
70
R
u
116
120
VIw-1
79
Fl
82
8
121
IIe-4
66
5
'lis
Fl
82
1
117
IIIe-4
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
118
IVe-3
75
Fl
82
3
119
VIe-2
78
Fl
82
3
119
132
SOIL SURVKY SKKIES 19.5 9, MO. 17
GUIDE TO MAPPFNG UNITS— Coiil iiiucd
Woodland
Sewage
Map
Iai pdhilitji
1 rrigatioii
suitabilily
disposal
si/inhol
Afapping unit
PtKje,
unit
Page
soil group
I 'age
group
Page
group
Page,
EgA
T'jfl*' cniont iiiul Ijiiicli^' very stony loutus, 0 to /)
2()
Vs-2
77
Fl
82
I
1 1 7
])d'c*('nt slo])os.
EgD
l^^diioniont und Luidi^ \'<'ry stoiiv loiims, 5 to )i5
20
\'I.s-2
79
Fl
82
percent slopes.
EoF
Kdjicinont uiid I^iiidiii \'er\' stoiiN' loixniSj 35 to (iO
2(>
VI Is 2
80
Fl
82
percent- slopt^s.
EhB2
I^lliber chert-y loiini^ 5 to 1*2 i.erceiit slopes, niod-
2G
IIe-2()
()8
,5
1 i.'j
Fl
82
2
1 1 8
EhD2
ICllil)er chei't \' loiunj 12 to 25 ]M'rc(Mit sloj)eSj mod-
2()
IIIe-2()
72
5
1 1 5
Fl
82
(*r;itely eroded.
EhE2
iLllibcr cliert s' loiin^j 25 to -15 ])ei'('ent slop(*s, mod-
2()
^'Ie-l
78
Fl
82
(M'utel\' eroded.
EhF
I'Uilif'!* flicrtv lojiiii 4.5 to .5.5 i"if*reent, slmif^s
2()
\IIe 1
79
Fl
82
Em
1 \ !'( > ( 1 i ' ( i hind pr(HMistone nuit(*ri;ds
27
VIIe-2
80
F4
83
En
l^roded l*uul lin^estone nititeriids
27
Vile 1
79
F4
83
Er
I'jroded hind, sandstone ;ind (luartzite materials-
27
VIIe-2
80
F4
83
Es
l^roded land shale and schist n'aterials
27
Vile- 3
80
F4
83
(;
120
EtA
I'.towah ji,ra\'ell\' loam, 0 to 3 ])ercent slo[)CS
27
I-l
64
5
1 15
Fl
82
1
1 17
EtB2
ICtowidi ^ra\'ell\' loam, 3 to 8 jjercent slopes.
27
He- 1
05
5
1 15
Fl
82
1
1 17
nioderal(*lv erodc^d.
EtC2
ijtowah ^rtiA'ellv loanij 8 to 15 ])ercent slopes,
27
I He 1
70
5
1 15
Fl
82
2
118
Tnoderatel\' eroded.
EtD2
Ktowah f.'Tavellv loam, 15 to 25 percent slo])es.
28
I\'e 1
75
Fl
82
moderatelv eroded.
E w A
Pitowah silt loam 0 to 3 pt^rcent slopes
28
I-l
64
1 15
Fl
82
I
1 17
EwB2
Ktowah silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moder-
28
He 1
05
5
1 15
Fl
82
1
117
atelv (*ro(ied.
EwC2
Ktowah silt loani, 8 to 15 percent sloj)es, moder-
28
IIIe-1
70
5
1 15
Fl
82
2
118
'1 1 f '1 V* f 'Vr >f 1 r »f i
FaB
Pauquior cliaiuiorv loam, 0 to 5 porccnt slopes
28
1-4
04
5
1 15
Fl
82
1
1 17
FaB2
Faiicjuicr chaniuu'v loani, 5 to 10 pcrcoiit slop<^s,
28
IIe-4
()0
5
1 15
Fl
82
1
117
ni()fl('rat(*lv (M'odod.
FaC2
Faucjiiit'i* ('haiiiu*rv loaiii, 10 to 20 percent slop(*Sj
28
IIIe-4
70
5
1 1 5
Fl
82
2
1 18
iTiocicrat elv ci'odecL
FaE2
FuiiQuitT ('haiiiu*rv loam, 20 to 35 percent slopes,
28
IVe-3
75
Fl
82
iiio(i(*rut el\' eroded.
FrE
FaiKiiii*'!' \'('rv stony loam, o to 35 percent slopes
29
VIs-2
79
Fl
82
FsA
FaiKiuicr silt loani 0 to 3 perct^nt slopes
29
1-4
64
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
FsB2
PaiKiuier silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, mod-
29
IIe-4
00
5
1 15
Fl
82
1
117
erat(*lv ei'oded.
FsC2
Fauquier silt loam, 10 to 20 jx'rccnt slopes, mod-
29
IIIe-4
70
5
1 15
Fl
82
2
1 18
erat el v (^roded.
FtC2
Fauquier silt loam, shallow, 3 to 20 percent slojx's.
29
I Ve-3
75
F2
83
5
120
FuD
FrjinU'st owii evtT'enielv rfiekv sill lo*ini 0 t(i 2n
29
VIIs-1
80
Fl
82
3
1 19
T'iPT'Pf^ll f sl nt"if^S
Fu E
Fran kst own ext re mel v roc k\' siji W)am 2o to -lo
29
VIIs-1
80
Fl
82
3
1 19
percent slopes.
FvC2
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent
29
VIs-1
79
Fl
82
2
118
ctlones nioderjii f 1 v ei'oded
FvC3
Frankstown y^'ry rocky silt loam, 8 to 15 percent
29
VIIs-1
80
Fl
82
2
1 18
slopes, seyerel y eroded.
FvE2
Frankstown yery rocky silt loam, 15 to 45 perct'nt
29
VIs-1
79
Fl
82
3
119
slopes, mode I' at el \* eroded.
Fw A
Frankstown and Duftield channery silt loams 0
30
I-l
04
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
to ^ npT*f*P7it sloTies
FwB2
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 3
30
IIe-1
65
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
to 8 percent slo])es, moderately eroded.
FwBB
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 0
30
IIIe-30
73
Fl
82
1
117
to 8 percent slopes, seyerely eroded.
FwC2
Frankstown and Duffield channc'ry silt loams 8
30
IIIe-1
70
-
115
Fl
82
2
118
to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
FwC3
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loanis 8
30
IVe-1
7.5
Fl
82
2
118
to 15 percent slopes, se\'erelv eroded.
FwD2
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 15
30
IVe-1
75
Fl
82
3
119
to 25 j)ercent slopes, moderately eroded.
FwD3
T^^rfi n k"«^t n WTT n ti fl T^i i ffiel H nliitmerv Qilt ^c^^ tit s 1
30
VIe-1
78
Fl
82
3
119
to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded.
FwE2
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 25
30
VIe-1
78
Fl
82
3
119
to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
FwE3
Frankstown and Duffield channery silt loams, 25
30
VIIe-1
79
Fl
82
3
119
to 45 percent slopes, severely erodc^d.
117
FyB2
Frederick cherty silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.
31
IIe-26
68
5
115
Fl
82
1
moderately eroded.
FyC2
Frederick cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
31
IIIe-26
72
5
115
Fl
82
2
118
moderately eroded.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
133
GUIDE TO MAPPING UNITS— ( ontimud
Woodland
Sewage
Map
CapabiliUj
Irriyalion
suilahilily
disposal
symbol
MapiiiiKj unit
Pane
unit
Page
soil group
Page
group
I 'age
group
Page
FyC3
Frederick chert y silt loam, 8 to 15 percciiit slopes,
31
IVe-26
76
Fl
82
2
118
severely eroded.
FyD2
Frederick chert y sill loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
31
IVe-2f)
7G
Fl
82
3
119
moderately eiodcfl.
FyD3
Frederick chert y silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes.
31
VIe-1
78
Fl
82
3
119
severely eroded.
FyE2
Frederick chert y silt loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes.
31
VIe-1
78
Fl
82
3
1 19
moderately eroded.
HaA
riagerstowa clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
31
IIs-1
69
7
117
Fl
82
1
117
HaB2
Hagerstown clay loam, 0 to 8 ])ercent slopes mod-
32
He- 19
68
7
117
Fl
82
1
117
erately erodeti.
HaB3
Hagerstown clay loam, 3 to S percent slopes, se-
32
IIIe-30
73
Fl
82
1
117
verely eroded.
HaC2
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
32
HIe-30
73
7
117
Fl
82
2
118
moderately eroded.
HaC3
Hagerstown clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
32
IVe-1
75
Fl
82
2
1 18
severely eroded.
HaD2
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
32
IVe-1
75
Fl
82
3
119
moderately eroded.
HaD3
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
32
VIe-1
78
Fl
82
3
119
severely eroded.
HbD2
Hagerstown extremely rocky silt loam, 0 to 25
32
VIIs-1
80
Fl
82
3
119
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
HcD2
Hagerstown extremely rocky silty clay loam, 0 to
32
VIIs-1
80
Fl
82
3
119
25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
VIIs-1
119
HdE
Hagerstown extremely rocky soils, 25 to 45 per-
32
80
F2
83
3
cent slopes.
HeA
Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
32
I-l
64
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
HeB2
Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
32
IIe-1
65
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
erately eroded.
HeC2
Hagerstown silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
32
IIIe-1
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
118
moderately eroded.
HeD2
Hagerstown silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes.
32
IVe-1
75
Fl
82
3
119
moderately eroded.
HfA
Hagerstown siltj' clay loam, 0 to 3 percent
32
I-l
64
7
117
Fl
82
1
117
slopes.
HfB2
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
32
IIe-1
65
7
117
Fl
82
1
117
moderately eroded.
HfC2
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 8 to 15 percent
32
IIIe-1
70
7
117
Fl
82
2
118
slopes, moderately eroded.
HfD2
Hagerstown silty clay loam, 15 to 25 percent
32
IVe-1
75
Fl
82
3
119
slopes, moderately eroded.
HgC2
Hagerstown very rocky silt loam, 3 to 15 percent
32
VIs-1
79
Fl
82
2
118
slopes, moderately eroded.
HgE2
Hagerstown very rockj^ silt loam, 15 to 45 per-
32
VIs-1
79
Fl
82
3
119
cent slopes, moderately eroded.
HhC2
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 3 to 15
33
VIs-1
79
Fl
82
2
118
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
HhC3
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 8 to 15
33
VIIs-1
80
Fl
82
2
118
percent slopes, severely eroded.
HhE2
Hagerstown very rocky silty clay loam, 15 to 45
33
VIs-1
79
Fl
82
3
119
percent slopes, moderately eroded.
HkF
Hagerstown very rocky soils, 45 to 55 percent
33
VIIs-1
80
F2
83
3
119
slopes.
HIA
Hagerstown, Corydon, and Duffield very rocky
33
Vs-1
77
Fl
82
1
117
silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
HmE2
Hagerstown and Duffield silt loams, 25 to 45 per-
33
VIe-1
78
Fl
82
3
119
cent slopes, modcratel.y eroded.
HnB2
Hazel channery silt loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes.
33
IIIs-2
74
4
114
F3
83
5
120
moderately eroded.
HnC2
Hazel channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes.
33
IVe-32
77
F3
83
6
120
moderately eroded.
HnC3
Hazel channery silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes.
33
VIe-3
78
F3
83
6
120
severely eroded.
HnD2
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes.
33
VIe-3
78
F3
83
6
120
moderately eroded.
HnD3
Hazel channery silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes.
33
VIIe-3
80
F3
83
6
120
severely eroded.
HnE
Hazel channery silt loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes.
34
VIIe-3
80
F3
83
6
120
HoB
Highfield gravelly loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes
34
1-4
64
5
"lis
Fl
82
1
117
HoB2
Highfield gravelly loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes.
34
IIe-4
66
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
moderately eroded.
HoC2
Highfield gravelly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes,
34
IIIe-4
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
118
moderately eroded.
HoE2
Highfield gravelly loam, 20 to 35 percent slopes.
34
IVe-3
75
Fl
82
3
119
moderately eroded.
134
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
GUIDE TO MAPPING UNITS— (ontiiuiod
11 oodld
Map
i^(ip(il)il uy
irvtgdiion
HUlt(l})llltlj
disposal
symbol
I\J Oppifl^ lifl'tt
unit
r(l(J€
soil (jroup
iClQC
yroup
fagc:
(/roup
/ a(j&
HdB
llighficld very slony loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes, _
34
Vs-2
77
Fl
82
1
117
HpD
llighfield very stony loam, 5 to 30 percent
34
VIs-2
79
Fl
82
3
] 19
slopes.
HpE
Highfield very stonj' loam, 30 to 4,5 i)ercent
34
VILs-2
80
Fl
82
3
119
slopes.
1 17
HrA
1 lolston gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
35
1-4
64
5
115
Fl
82
1
HrB2
llolston gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes,
35
IIe-4
66
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
moderately eroded.
HrC2
llolston gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
35
IIIe-4
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
lis
moderately eroded.
HrD2
llolston gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes.
35
IVe-3
75
Fl
82
3
1 1 9
moderately eroded.
HrD3
llolston gravelly loam, 8 to 25 i)erceiit slopes,
35
VIe-2
78
Fl
82
3
119
s(-verely eroded.
HrE2
llolston gravelly loam, 25 to 45 i)ercent .slopes.
35
VIe-2
78
Fl
82
3
119
moderately eroded.
HsB
Holston gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent
35
IIs-2
69
1
1 14
Fl
82
1
] 1 7
slopes.
HsC2
llolston gravelly sand.y loam, 3 to 15 i)ercent
35
IIIe-5
71
1
114
Fl
82
1
117
slopes, moderately eroded.
HsC3
llolston gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent
35
IVe-5
76
Fl
82
2
118
sloix's, severely eroded.
HtA
35
1-4
64
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
HtB2
llolston silt loam, 3 to 8 i)ercent slopes, mod-
35
IIe-4
66
5
1 15
Fl
82
1
117
erately eroded.
HtC2
llolston silt loam, 8 to 15 i)ercent slopes, mod-
35
IIIe-4
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
118
erately eroded.
Hu
Huntington fine sandv loam .
36
1-6
65
1
1 14
Fl
82
8
121
Hv
JIuiitington gravellv loam .
36
1-6
65
3
114
Fl
82
8
121
Hw
Huntington silt loam . . _
36
1-6
65
3
114
Fl
82
8
121
Hx
Huntington silt loam, local alluvium
36
1-6
65
3
114
Fl
82
8
121
La A
Laidig gravellv loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
37
1-4
64
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
LaB2
I^aidig gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, mod-
37
IIe-4
66
5
115
P'l
82
1
1 1 7
erately eroded.
118
LaC2
Laidig gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
37
IIIe-4
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
moderately eroded.
LaD2
Laidig gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes,
37
IVe-3
75
Fl
82
3
1 1 9
moderately eroded.
LbD
Laidig very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes. _
37
VIs-2
79
Fl
82
3
119
LbE2
Laidig very ston\' loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes,
37
VII.s-2
80
Fl
82
3
119
moderately eroded.
120
LcB2
Landisburg cherty silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes.
37
He- 13
67
2
114
F2
83
7
moderately eroded.
120
LcD2
Landisburg cherty silt loam, 8 to 25 percent
37
IIIe-13
72
2
114
F2
83
7
slopes, moderately eroded.
82
121
Le
Largent silt loam . _ _ -
38
II\v-7
69
3
114
Fl
8
LgA
Lead vale gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
38
IIw-l
68
2
114
F2
83
7
120
LgB2
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
38
lie- 13
67
2
114
F2
83
7
120
moderately eroded.
Lm
Lindside silt loam . . _
40
II\v-7
69
3
114
Fl
82
8
121
Ln
Lindside silt loam, local alluvium
40
II\v-7
69
3
114
Fl
82
8
121
LoB2
Litz channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, mod-
40
IIe-11
67
4
114
F3
83
4
119
erately eroded.
120
LoC2
Litz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, mod-
40
IlIe-31
73
4
114
F3
83
5
erately eroded.
120
LoC3
Litz channery loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, se-
40
IVe-31
77
F3
83
5
verely eroded.
119
LsB
Litz shalv loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes
40
IIIe-31
73
4
114
F3
83
4
LsB2
Litz shaly loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moder-
40
IIIe-31
73
4
114
F3
83
4
119
ately eroded.
120
LsC2
Litz siialy loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moder-
40
IVe-31
77
4
114
F3
83
5
ately eroded.
120
LsC3
Litz shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely
40
VIe-3
78
F3
83
5
eroded.
120
LsD2
Litz shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moder-
40
VIe-3
78
F3
83
6
ately eroded.
120
LsD3
Litz shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely
40
VIIe-3
80
F3
83
6
eroded.
1 90
LsLz
Litz shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes, moder-
40
\ ^ T T ,^ O
V lie— 3
80
r 6
QQ
OO
D
ately eroded.
120
LsE3
Litz shaly loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes, severely
40
VIIe-3
80
F3
83
6
eroded.
LsF
Litz shaly loam, 45 to 60 percent slopes . . .
41
VIIe-3
80
F3
83
6
120
LtB
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 0 to 8 percent
41
IIe-11
67
4
'114
F3
83
4
119
slopes.
120
LtC2
Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 3 to 15 percent
41
IIIe-31
73
F3
83
5
slopes, moderately eroded.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
135
GlIIDK TO MAP
Map
.■ii/nibol MujijiiiKj unit I'lii/c
LtC3 Litz-Tciis chainu'ry silt loams, S lo I') pciccnl 41
sl()])('s, severely eroded.
LtD2 Lit /.-Tens chamiery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent -II
slopes, moderately eroded.
LtD3 Lit /.-Teas chaiinery silt loams, 15 to 25 pereeiil H
slopes, severely eroded.
LtE2 Litz-Teas channery silt loams, 25 to 15 pereeni II
slop(^s, moderately eroded.
Me Mel\ ill silt loam II
MgB2 Mononsahela K' avc^lly loam, 8 to 8 percent slopes, 42
moderately eroded.
MgC2 Moiioiigahela Rra\-elly loam, 8 to 15 percent 42
slopes, moderately eroded.
MhA Monongahela silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 42
MhB2 Monongahela silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, 42
moderately eroded.
MhC2 Monongahela silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, 42
moderately eroded.
MhD2 Monongahela silt loam, 15 to 25 jiercent slopes, 42
moderately eroded.
MmB2 Montevallo shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, 42
moderately eroded.
MmC2 Montevallo shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, 42
moderately eroded.
MmC3 Montevallo "shaly loam. 10 to 20 percent slopes, 43
severely eroded.
MtnD2 Montevailo shaly loam. 20 to 30 i^ercent slopes, 43
moderately eroded.
MmD3 Montevallo shaly loam, 20 to 30 jiercent slopes, 43
severely eroded.
MoA Murrill gravelly loam. 0 to 3 percent slopes 43
MoB2 Mtn-rill gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, 43
moderately eroded.
MoC2 Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, 43
moderately eroded.
MoD2 Murrill gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, 44
moderately eroded.
MoD3 Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, 43
severely eroded.
MoE2 Murrill gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, 44
moderately eroded.
M rB Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes 44
MrC2 Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent 44
slopes, moderately eroded.
MrC3 Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent 44
slopes, severely eroded.
MrD2 Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent 44
slopes, moderately eroded.
MrD3 Murrill gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent 44
slopes, severely eroded.
MsA Murrill silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 44
MsB2 Murrill silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately 44
eroded.
MsC2 Murrill silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moder- 44
ately eroded.
M vA Myersville channery loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. . 45
MvB2 Myersville channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, 45
moderately eroded.
MvC2 Myersville channery loam, 10 to 20 percent 45
slopes, moderately eroded.
MvD2 Myersville channery loam, 20 to 30 percent 45
slopes, moderately eroded.
MvE2 Myersville channery loam, 30 to 45 percent 45
slopes, moderately eroded.
MwB3 Myersville channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent 45
slopes, severely eroded.
MwD3 Myersville channery silt loam, 10 to 30 percent 45
slopes, severely eroded.
MxA Myersville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 45
MxB2 Myersville silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, 45
moderately eroded.
MxC2 Myersville silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, 45
moderately eroded.
MyE2 Myersville very stony loam, 3 to 30 percent 45
slopes, moderately eroded.
MyF2 Myersville very stony loam, 30 to 55 percent 45
slopes, eroded.
M(; UNITS Continued
Wooillan'l Sewage
('cipahilitii Irrif/alion xiiitiiliilili/ dinpoHul
unit
■soil group
Page
group
Huge
group
I'age
IVe-31
77
4
114
F3
83
5
120
IVe-3I
77
I>'3
83
fi
120
VIe-3
78
I'3
83
6
1 20
VI(-3
78
F3
83
6
r.M)
1 1 1 \v-2
74
Fl
82
8
121
lie- 13
67
2
' 1 i 1
I'2
83
7
120
I He- 13
72
2
1 14
F2
83
(
120
IIw-l
68
2
114
F2
83
7
120
lie- 13
67
2
114
F2
83
7
120
IIIe-13
72
2
114
F2
83
7
120
IVe-9
76
F2
83
7
120
1 1 if-.— Z
7 1
A
1 1 1
i 1 -1
r o
1 1 u
IVe-32
77
F3
83
5
120
Vle-3
78
F3
83
6
120
VIe-3
78
F3
83
6
120
VIIe-3
80
F3
83
6
120
1-4
64
5
115
Fl
82
1
1 17
T J ^ A
lie— 'I
DO
0
i i 0
r i
oZ
1
i
1 1 7
1 1 i
IIIe-4
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
118
IVe-3
75
Fl
82
3
119
VIe-2
78
Fl
82
3
119
VIe-2
78
Fl
82
3
119
IIs-2
69
1
114
Fl
82
1
117
IIIe-5
71
1
114
Fl
82
1
117
IVe-5
76
Fl
82
2
118
IVe-5
76
Fl
82
3
119
VIe-2
78
Fl
82
3
119
1-4
64
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
IIe-4
66
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
IIIe-4
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
1 18
1-4
64
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
IIe-4
66
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
T T T,, 4
0
IIP;
1 lo
r i
oZ
O
Z
1 1 Q
1 1 O
IVe-3
75
Fl
82
3
119
VIe-2
78
Fl
82
3
119
IIIe-44
73
Fl
82
1
117
VIe-2
78
Fl
82
3
119
1-4
64
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
IIe-4
66
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
IIIe-4
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
118
VIs-2
79
Fl
82
3
119
VIIs-2
80
Fl
82
3
119
136
SOIL SURVEY SERIES 1959, NO. 17
GUIDE TO MAPPING UNITS— Continued
11''" fi/ifil/l tif}
wnifr/
Map
1 // Ti/i f >'/ / u
^—'IC fJ\.l'\/ I'll I L If
J v T ) nnt } rti)
J 1 1 HIULL Li/ 1 L
Vi/ll/llllllfll
• ^ 11- 1 L' 1 < ' 1 I 1 I ' f
if 1 vTifi vfi I
fJUoUL
Q IS )i) hnl
O (/ It I L/l/t
]\ fnTtTt7 ti n iiii'it.
(.1 IV 11/
1 uyv
oVlfc If 1 U U. ff
if 1 U III IJ
Paqc
(JTO }( J)
Pai/e
Pg
Philo gravelly sandy loam.. . . .
45
IIw-7
69
1
114
Fl
82
8
121
Ph
I'hilo silt loam. _ . .
40
T T — r
1 lw-7
09
3
114
Fl
82
8
121
Pn
Pope fine sandv loam.. . ...
40
1-0
Oo
1
1 14
1
b 1
8
1 2 1
Po
Po])e sravellv loam . . .
4()
T /*
1-0
05
3
1 14
Fl
82
8
1 2 1
Pp
Pope gravelly sandy loam . . .
40
IIs-2
69
1
111
Fl
82
8
121
rs
Pope silt loam . . .
A t\.
4()
T O
1-0
DO
3
114
r 1
OO
8
i 21
Pt
Pojje stony gravelly loam
40
Vs-z
IT
b 1
oo
82
8
121
Hk
lloclcy eroded land _ .
40
V lis-1
80
T?A
oo
so
3
1 19
RoB2
Kolirer.sville silty elay loam, 0 to 8 jiercent slopes,
moderately eroded.
47
IIIw-1
74
::::
Fl
82
7
120
Sr
Stony rolling land . . .
•17
VIIs-2
80
—
F4
83
3
119
OS
1 T
4 /
\ ' T T T ^- 1
r t
OO
•»
o
1 ly
T ^0
1 aLZ
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant,
0 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
1 7
■i /
TIT-, in
1 1 Ic— lU
1 1
/ 1
4
114
r 1
oZ
2
1 1 8
TaC3
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant,
48
I\ e-10
1 0
....
b 1
82
3
1 1 !)
10 to 20 percent slo|)es, severely eroded.
Talladega gravelly silt loam, thick solum variant,
20 to 30 {)ercent slo[)es.
TdD
4:8
I\^e-10
76
Jf 1
OO
82
3
1 1 9
TaE2
Talladega gravelly silt loam, tliick solum variant,
20 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded.
48
VIe-3
78
Fl
82
3
119
Te
Terrace escarpments .
A Q
4o
TTT„ a
/ 1
F 1
aZ
8
1 O 1
1 zl
TU DO
Thurmont gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes,
moderately erodt^d.
1
4.)
1 le— 4
00
r
0
110
"Pi
r 1
oo
oZ
1
11/
ThC2
Thurmont gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
I'J
llle-4
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
118
TrA
Trego gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 })ercent slopes
I'.l
lIw-1
68
2
114
F2
83
7
120
TrC2
Trego gravelly silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
■10
llle-lo
TO
Z
1 14
IT**!
r 2
83
7
1 Zu
TyB
Tyler silt loam, 0 to 8 ])ercent slopes.. _
lllw-1
/ 4
.
T?0
r z
o3
7
1 on
Wa
Warners loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes..
50
IIw-7
69
'il4
Fl
82
8
121
WbA
Waynesboro gra\ elly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
1
f) I
T 1
1-4
04
5
1 1 0
r 1
oo
oZ
1
117
117
WbB2
Waynesboro gravelly loani, 0 to 8 i)ercent slo])es,
moderately (M'oded.
51
IIe-4
66
5
115
Fl
82
1
117
WbC2
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded.
51
IIIe-4
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
118
Waynesboro gravell}' loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
severely eroded.
O 1
/ O
Jf i
OZ
TIC
1 lo
WbD2
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, moderatel\' eroded.
51
IVe-3
75
Fl
82
3
119
WbD3
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
51
VIe-2
78
Fl
82
3
119
WbE2
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
Ol
V le— z
7ft
r I
oZ
O
O
1 1.7
WgB
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent
51
ils-z
69
1
1 1 4
X? 1
r 1
QO
oZ
1
1
117
11/
slopes.
TTT„ r
llle— 0
CO
oZ
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, moderately eroded.
oi
/ 1
1
1 1 1
114
r 1
1
117
1 1 t
WgC3
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, severely eroded.
51
1\ e— 5
/ 0
r 1
oo
oZ
o
1 1 O
1 lo
WgD2
Waynesboro gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 25 per-
51
1 V e-5
/6
r 1
oo
oZ
Q
O
1 1 n
1 ly
cent slopes, moderately eroded.
Wn
Wehadkee silt loam ... .....
oz
TTTxir 1
lllW— 1
/ 4
-
Ti"1
r 1
oZ
Q
O
1 91
WmB2
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 10 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded.
52
IIe-1
65
115
Fl
82
1
117
WmC2
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 10 to 20 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded.
52
IIIe-1
70
5
115
Fl
82
2
118
WmC3
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 20 per-
cent slopes, severely eroded.
52
IVe-1
75
Fl
82
2
118
WmD2
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 20 to 30 per-
cent slopes, moderately eroded.
52
IVe-1
75
Fl
82
3
119
WmD3
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 20 to 30 per-
cent slopes, severely eroded.
52
VIe-1
o
78
Fl
82
3
119
WORKS AND STRUCTURES
Highways and roads
Dua' . .
Good motor
Poor motor
Trail
Highway markers
National Interstate
U.S
Stale
Railroads
Single track
Multiple track
Abandoned
Bridges and crossings
Road
Trail, foot
Railroad
Ferries
Ford
Grade
R, R, over
R. R. under
Tunnel
Buildings
School
Church
Station
Mines and Quarnes
Mine dump
Pits, gravel or other
Power lines
Pipe lines
Cemeteries
Dams
Levees
Tanks
Oil wells
Canal locks {pomt upstream)
o
o
o
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
CONVENTIONAL SIGNS
BOUNDARIES
National or state
County
Township, U. S.
Section line, corner
Reservation
Land grant
Streams
Perennial
Intermittent, unclass.
Canals and ditches
Lakes and ponds
Perennial
Intermittent
Wells
Springs
Mafsh
Wet spot
Canal Aqueduct
^ f
Escarpments
Bedrock
Other
Prominent peaks
Depressions
Crossabie with tillage
implements
Not crossabie with tillage
implements
Contains water most of
the time
SOIL SURVEY DATA
Soil boundary
and symbol
Gravel
Stones
Rock outcrops
Chert fragments
Clay spot
Sand spot
Gumbo or scabby spot
Made land
Severely eroded spot
Blowout, wind erosion
Gullies
WELL DRAINED, STONY AND VERY STONY SOILS
Dekalb-Leetonia Edgemont-Laidig association:
Very stony, mountainous soils
Dekalb-Highfield association
Vety steep, stony soils
Highfield-Fauquier association:
Deep, stony soils
WELL TO EXCESSIVELY DRAINED, SHALLOW,
MEDIUM TEXTURED SOILS
Herks-Montevallo association:
Soils on shale
Hazel-Chandler association:
Shallow soils on schist
T.illadega association:
Moderately deep soils on schist
itz Teas association:
Shallow, steep soils on shale
Calvin- Berks- Litz-Montevallo association:
Shallow soils on shale, limestone, or sandstone
^ VIRGINIA
U. S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE
MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL E:XPERIMENT STATION
SOIL LEGEND
The hrst caDital teller is the mit.at one ot the soil name. A second
caoital letlef, A, B. C, D. E. Of F. shows the slope. Symbols wilfiout a
siooe lelle' afe those of nearly level sols, sucti as Huni.ngton silt loam,
or of land types, such as Rocky eroded land, that have a considerable range
o' slope. A frnal number, 2 0' 3, shows that the soil is eroded.
BbA
e>B2
B»C?
B^C3
BcB2
BcC2
BCC3
BcD2
BflB
BeB2
BcC?
BfD2
BhB2
BhC?
BkC3
BkD2
BoE3
BoF
BuD?
C»82
CeB2
CcC2
CcO
CeD2
CcE
CcF
CmB2
CmC2
CmC3
CmD
CmE
CnB2
CnC2
CnC3
Cn02
CnF2
CoB?
CoC2
CoD2
CoE3
CoF
CfB '
CwA
CwB2
CwC2
C.C
CvE2
OoD
DeE
DeF
DkO
DhE
DmA
OmB2
DmC2
Drt>02
Dm03
Ashton fine sandy loam. 0 lo S percent slopes
Atkins silt loam
Benevola clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Benevoli clay loam, 3 to 8 prrceni slopes, moderately eroded
Benevola clay loam, 8 to lb percent slopes, moderately eroded
Benevola Cay loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Berks channery loai
Berks channery loai
Berks channery loai
Berks channery loai
Berks shsly sill loai
Berks shaly Sill loai
Berk-i shaly sitl loar
dgei, 0 10 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
ridges. 10 to 20 pefcenl slopes, moderately eroded
fidgei, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded
ridges, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded
0 10 8 percent slopes
3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
15 lo 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Berks sill loam, ridges. 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Berks sill loam, r.dges, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Berks sill loam, ndges. 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded
Berks silt loam, ndges. 20 to 30 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Berks soils, ridges, 20 to 45 percenl slopes, severely eroded
Berks soils, ridgei. 30 to 60 percent slopes
Braddock and Thurmoni
Braddock and Thormont
Breddock and Thurmont
Brinkerton sill loam, 0
Buchanan gravelly loam,
Buct^anan gravelly loam
Bucnanan gravelly loam
gravelly loams. 3 lo S percenl slopes, moderately eroded
gravelly loams, 8 to 15 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
gravelly loams, 15 to 2b percent slopes
o 8 percent slopes
0 lo 3 percenl slopes
3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
8 lo 15 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Celvin channery loam
Calvin channery loam
Calvin channery loam
Calvin shaly loam, 0 t
Celvin channery fine sandy loam, 3 lo 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin channery loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin channery loam, 10 to 20 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin channery loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes
, 20 to 30 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
, 30 lo 45 percent slopes
, 45 to 60 percent slopes
10 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin shaly loam. 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderalefy eroded
Celvin shaly loam, 10 lo 20 percenl slopes, severely eroded
Calvin shaly loam, 20 to 30 percenl slopes
Calvtn shaly loam. 30 lo 45 percent slopes
Cfllvin-Berks channery loams, 0 lo 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Celvin-Btrks channery loams, 10 to 20 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Calwln-Berks channery loams, 3 to 20 percenl slopes, severely eroded
Calvin-Berks channery loams, 20 lo 30 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Cslvln-Berks channery loams, 30 to 60 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Celvin-Monlevallo shaly loams, 0 to 10 percent Hopes, moderately eroded
Calvin-Montevallo shaly loams, 10 lo 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin Montevallo shaly loams, 20 lo 30 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin Montevallo shaly loams, 20 lo 45 percent slopes, severely eroded
Calvin-Monlevallo shaly loams. 30 to 60 perc
lery sill loam, 0 lo 10
slopes
3 to 10 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
10 to 20 peicent slopes, moderately eroded
20 10 30 percenl slopes
Chandler sill
Chandler sill loam and channery sill loai
Chandler silt loam and channery sill loai
Chandler silt loam and channery silt loai
Chewads gravelly sandy loam
Chewacia silt loam
Chewacia stony silt loam
Congaree silt loam and gravelly loam
Corydon clay loam, 0 lo 3 percenl slopes
Corydon clay loam, 3 lo 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Corydon clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Corydon extremely rocky clay loam. 0 lo 15 percent slopes
Corydon very rocky clay loam, 3 lo 45 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Dekalb and Leelonia very stony sandy loams. 0 to 25 percent slopes
Dekalb and Leotoma very stony sandy loami;, 2b to 45 percent slopes
Otkalb and Leelonia very siony sandy loams, 45 to 60 percent slopes
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 0 lo 25 prrceni slopes
Dekalb and Lehew very stony loams, 25 lo 45 percent slopes
Duffield sill loam, 0 lo 3 percent slopes
Dulfield sill loam, 3 lo 8 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Duffield sill loam. 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Outfield silt loam, 15 to 25 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Dulfield silt loam. 8 lo 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
OuC
DvC
OvE2
Oy82
OyC2
Dz
EdC
EdD2
EdE?
EdF2
EgA
EfiD
EgF
EnB2
EhD2
EhE2
EhF
Em
Dulfield extremely rocky sift loam, 0 lo 15 percenl slopes
Duffield very rocky sill loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes
Dulfield very rocky sill loam, 8 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Ounmore che'ty Silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Dunmore cherty siH loam, 8 lo 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Dunning and Melvm silty clay loams
Edgemont and Laidig channery l
Edgemoni and Laidig channery i
Edgemont and Laidig channery l
Edgemoni and Laidig channery 1
Edgemont and Laidig very stony
Edgemont and Laidig very stony
Edgemont and Laidig very stony
jm. 5 10 12 perc
Eiiiber
land.
ElA
EIB2
EIC2
EI02
EwA
Ev^B2
EwC2
FaB
FaB2
FaC2
FaE2
FrE
FsA
FsB2
FsC2
FIC2
FuD
FuE
FvC2
FvC3
FvE2
FwA
FwB2
FwB3
Fv-C2
FwC3
Fw02
FwD3
FwE2
FwE3
FyB2
FvC2
FyC3
Fy02
FyD3
FyE2
HaA
HaB2
HaB3
HaC2
HaC3
HaD2
MaD3
HbD2
HcD2
HdE
HeA
HeB2
HeC2
HeD2
HfA
HfB2
Eroded I
Etowah 1
Etowah graveli'
Etowah graven
Etowah gti
ms, 0 to 12 perce
ms, 5 to 20 oerce
ms, 20 to 35 perc
ms, 35 10 60 perc
ams, 0 lo 5 oerce
ams. 5 lo 35 perc
ams. 35 to 60 pei
It slopes, moderali
ent slopes, modera
?ni slopes, modera
ent slopes
slopes, moderately eroded
1 slopes, moderately eroded
I slopes, moderately eroded
ly eroded
ely eroded
ely eroded
<elly loa
. 0 I
. 3 to 1
'nt slopes
nl slopes, moderately eroded
^elly loam. 8 lo 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
ifelly loam. 15 lo 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Etowah sill loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Etowah silt loam. 3 to 8 percent slopes, modera
Etowah Silt loam, 8 to 15 percenl slopes, mode
itely eroded
rately eroded
Faugui
t loam. 0 to 5 percent slopes
t loam. 5 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
y loam. 10 to 20 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
f loam, 20 lo 35 percerM slopes, moderately eroded
ly loam, 5 to 35 percenl slopes
) 10 perc
Frankstown
Frankstown
Frankstown
Frank'
>cky sill I
)cky s-II I
and Dulfield char
and Duffield chai
and Duffield char
and Ouff-eld char
and OuMield char
I loams, 0 to 3 percent
■oded
!ly eroded
moderately
ded
Frankstown
Frankstown
Frankstown
Frankstown
Frederick cl
Frederick cl
Frederick cl
Frederick d
Frederick d
Frederick cherty silt loam, 25
and Dutlield c
and Duflield <
and Duffield <
lerty silt loam,
lerly silt loam,
leriy Sill loam
lerty sill loam
slopes, n*
slopes, SE
1 slopes, (
nt slopes,
nt slopes.
0 to 8 perce
8 to 15 perc
I 45 [
»ms. 25 10 45 pert
>ms, 25 to 45 pert
1 slopes, moderatel
;ent
slopes,
slopes,
slopes.
I slopes,
I slopes,
iroded
derately eroded
erely eroded
oderaiely eroded
'verely eroded
oderately eroded
nod.
ately eroded
ly eroded
irately eroded
ely eroded
'erely eroded
derately eroded
'erely eroded
0 to 3 percent slopes
0 lo 8 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
ay loam, 3 to 8 percenl slopes, severely eroded
ay loam, 8 lo 15 Percent slopes, moderately eroded
ay loam, 8 lo 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
ay loam. 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
ay loam, 15 lo 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
tiremely rocky silt loam, 0 lo 25 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
(tremely rock/ silty clay loam, 0 lo 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
ilremely rocky soils, 25 to 45 percent slopes
11 loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
It loam, 0 to 8 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Hagetstown sill loarT>. 8 to 15 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerslown silt loam, 15 to 25 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerslown silly clay loam. 0 to 3 percent slopes
Hagerslown silty clay loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerslown clay
Hagerslown clay
Hagerslown day
Hagerslown day
Hagerslown clay
Hagerslown
Hagerslown
HIC2
HfD2
HbC2
Hg£2
HhC2
HhC3
HhE2
HkF
HIA
HmE2
HnB2
HnC2
HnC3
HpD
HpE
HfA
•cky Sill
Hagerslown very
Hagerslown very
Hagerslown very
Hagerslown very
Hagerslown very
Hagerslown very
Hagerslown, Corydon. and Ouffi
Hagerslown and Duffield silt loi
8 to 15 .iiercent slopes, moderately eroded
15 lo 23 percent slopes, moderately eroded
:ni slopes, moderately eroded
15 ■
Hy clay loarr . 3
illy clay loarr . 3
lily clay loarr. r
.. 45 to 5m 01
) 45
Haj
Highlie
Highlie
Highlie
silt loai
, 10
10 perc
0 20 J.e.
0 20 ( ei
0 30 re,
0 30 cei
I loam. 30 to 45 :
15 percent slopes, modetaiely eroded
15 percent slopes, se«e'ely eroded
I 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
nl slopes
*y silt loams. 0 lo 3 percent slopes
ent slopes, moderately eroded
moderately eroded
1 slopes, severely eroded
t slopes, moderately eroded
; slopes, severely eroded
rately eroded
eralely eroded
erately eroded
eily loam, 8 lo 15 perc
tely eroded
ately eroded
irately eroded
lrD3 Holslon gravelly loarr
lrE2 Holslon gravelly loan
IsB Holslon gravelly sane
lsC2 Hotston gravelly sane
lsC3 Holslon gravelly sane
llA Holslon silt loam. 0
ltB2 Holslon stit loam. 3
ltC2 Holston silt loam. 8
Iv Huntington gravelly I
Iw Huntington silt loam
U Huntington sill loam.
LaA
LaB2
LaC2
La02
LbO
LbE2
Lc82
LcD2
Le
LoB?
LoC2
LoC3
LsB
Ls82
LsC2
LsC3
LsD2
L5D3
LsE2
LsE3
LsF
LIB
L1C2
L1C3
LlD2
LID 3
LIE2
Mg82
MgC2
MhA
Laidig gravelly I
Laidig gravelly I
Laidig gravelly I
Laidie very ston'
Landisburg cher
Landisburg cher
Largent sill loar
Leadvale gravell
Leadvale gravell
Lmdside sill loa
Lindside silt loa
Litz channery lo
, local alluvium
, 0 to 3 percent slopes
, 3 to 8 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
. 8 to IS percen' slopes, moderately eroded
, 15 to 25 perceil slopes, moderately eroded
, 8 lo 25 percei
, 15 to 45 peic
loam, 3 to 8 |<e
loam, 8 to 25 c
ilopes, moderately eroded
I slopes, moderately eroded
nt slopes, moderately eroded
silt loam, 0 to 3 p.'rcent slopes
Silt loam, 3 to 8 pi-rcenl slopes, moderately eroded
z cha
Litz channery I
Litz shaly loam
Litz shaly loam
Lilz shaly loam
Lilz shaly loam
Lilz sfialy loarr
n, 3 lo 10 perce
n. 10 10 20 perc
10 I
20 c
0 10 10 perce
3 to 10 perce
10 to 20 perc
10 to 20 perc
Lilz •
LitZ :
Litz-Teas
Litz-Teas
Litz-Teas
Lilz-Teas
Litz-Teas
Litz-Teas
20 I
30 c
m. 20 to 30 c
m. 30 to 45 c
m, 30 to 45 [
slopes, moderately eroded
1 slopes, moderately eroded
t slopes, severely eroded
ips. moderately eroded
ipes, moderately eroded
ipes, severely eroded
oes, moderately eroded
ipes, severely eroded
JOes, moderately eroded
)Des. severely eroded
;ent s
0 to a percent slopes
3 to 15 percent slopes, r
, 8 to 15 percent slopes, i
15 to 25 percent slopes.
15 to 25 percent slopes.
derately eroded
erely eroded
oderately eroded
iverely eroded
annery silt loams, 25 lo 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
) gravelly foam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
1 gravelly loam, 8 lo IS percent slopes, moderately eroded
) silt loam, 0 lo 3 percenl slopes
l^mD2
MmD3
MoA
MoB2
MoC2
MqD2
Mo03
Moe2
l^rB
MrC2
M(C3
l^rD2
Ivir03
l^sA
MsB2
M5C2
l^vC2
MvD2
MvE2
MwB3
|v1w03
M»82
MkC2
l^yE2
I^vF2
f-lonongahela sill loam, 3 to 8 oercent slopes, moderately eroded
Monongahela silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Monongahela sill loam, 15 lo 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Montevallo shaly loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Montevallo shaly loam, 10 lo 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Montevallo shaly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded
Montevallo shaly loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Montevallo shaly loam. 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded
I 3 percent slopes
I 8 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
• 15 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
I 25 percenl slopes, severely eroded
to 45 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
T\, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
n, 8 lo 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Ti, 15 to 25 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
lo 25 percenl slopes, severely eroded
slopes
noderately eroded
moderately eroded
Myersville channery loam, 0 lo 3 percent slopes
Myersville channery loam, 3 tO 10 pe
Myersville channery loam, 10 to 20 e
Ss
TbC2
TaCS
TaD
TaE2
TrC2
TyB
Wa
WbA
W6B2
WbC2
WbC3
Wb02
WbD3
WbE2
WbS
WgC2
WgC3
WgD2
Wm82
WmC2
WmC3
WmD2
WmD3
I gravelly loam
I gravelly loam
I gravelly loam
I gravelly loam
I gravelly loarr
I gravelly 5
silt loai
dy loam, 1
I 10 3 perc
I lo 8 percent slopes, r
loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
channery loam
rhannery loam
Myeisv
Myersv
Myersv
Myersv
Myerss
Myersv
Myersv
Myersv
opes, moderately eroded
ilopes. moderately eroded
hannery loam. 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded
hannery loam, 30 lo 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
hannery sill loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded
hannery stIt loam, 10 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded
•It loam, 0 lo 3 percent slopes
lit loam, 3 to 10 oercent slopes, moderately eroded
lit loam, 10 lo 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
ery stony loam, 3 lo 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded
ery stony loam, 30 to 55 percent slopes, eroded
Philo gravelly <
ndy I
Pope fine sandy loam
Pope gravelly loam
Pope gravelly sandy loam
Pope silt loam
Pope stony gravelly loam
Stony rolling land
Stony steep land
Talladega gravelly sil
Talladega gravelly sil
Talladega gravelly sil
Talladega gravelly sii
Terrace escarpments
Thurmoni gravelly loam. 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Thurmont gravelly loam, 8 lo IS percent slopes, moderately eroded
Trego gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Trego gravelly silt loam, 3 lo 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Tyler silt loam, 0 lo 8 percent slopes
hick solui
slopes, moderately eroded
. 0 lo 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
, 10 lo 20 percenl slopes, severely eroded
, 20 to 30 percenl slopes
, 20 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
, 0 to 8 percent slopes
ravelly loam, 0 to 3 perc
ravelly loam, 0 lo 8 perc
Warners loj
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 0
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 8
Waynesboro gravelly loam. 3
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 1^
Waynesboro g'^velly loam, 1?
Waynesboro gravelly loam, 2f
Waynesboro gravelly sandy lo
Waynesboro gravelly sandy lo
Waynesboro g'^velly sandy lo
Waynesboro gravelly sandy lo
Wehadkee silt loam
Westmoreland channery silt I
Westmoreland channery silt I
Westmoreland channery silt I
Westmoreland channery sill I
Westmoreland channery silt I
I sloi
slopes, moderately eroded
3 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
3 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
to 45 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
m, 0 to 8 percent slopes
m, 3 to 15 percenl slopes, moderately eroded
m, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
m, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
m, 3 lo 10 percent slopes,
m. 10 lo 20 percent slopes,
m, 3 to 20 percent slopes.
loderalely eroded
noderately eroded
topes, severely eroded
slopes, moderately eroded
slopes, severely eroded
Soil map constructed 1961 by Cartographic Division,
Soil Conservation Service, USDA, from 1957 serial
photographs. Controlled mosaic based on Maryland
plane coordinate syst«m, Lambert conlormal
conic projection. 1927 North Amtncan datum.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER 2
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND - SHEET NUMBER 3
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND- SHEET NUMBER 4
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND - SH EET NUMBER 5
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER 6
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND - SHEET NUMBER 9
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND- SHEET NUMBER 10
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER 11
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND - SHEET NUMBER 12
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND- SHEET NUMBER 13
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER 15
WASHINGTON. COUNTY, MARYLAND - SH EET NUMBER 18
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND - SHEET NUMBER 19
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER 20
WAJHINGTOr, COUNTY, MARYLAND - SHEET NUMBER 23
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND - SHEET NUMBER 26
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND -SHEET NUMBER 27
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND -SHEET NUMBER 28
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER
WASHIN&T j . CC i • TY, MARYLAND- SHEET NUMBER 31
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER 33
(Joins sheet 37)
Scale 1:15840 i i \ 1 i i
WASHINGTOf'i COUNTY, MARYLAND - SHEET NUMBER 34
Scale 1:15840 l
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND - SHEET NUMBER 35
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER 36
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND - SH EtT NUMBER 37
WASHINGTON COUNTY. MARYLAND- SHEET NUMBER 38
WASHINGTON COUNTY. MARYLAND -SHEET NUMBER 39
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER 40
(Joins sheet 36)
Scale 1:15840 ? , , , ^ 5000 Feel
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER 41
WASHINGTON COUNTY. MARYLAND- SHEET
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND -SHEET NUMBER 46
______ (Joins sheef 43)
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
I
WASHINGTON COUNTY. MARYLAND- SHEET NUMBER 49
WASHINGTON COUrjTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER 51
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND - SHEET NUMBER 52
(Joins sheet 50)
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND-SHEET NUMBER 53
(Joins sheef 51)
WASHINGTON COUNTY. MARYLAND - SHEET NUMBER ^ -
5 000 reel
U S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYUND
MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
SOIL LEGEND
The '"»t csDital ielte» a Ihe mitiai one ol the soi' name. * second
ciDiUi retier. A. 6. C. D. E. or F. shows the slope. Syinbols without i
slop* letter are (hose of nearly leve' soils, such as Huni>ngion s<it >oar
or ol land noes, such as Rocky eroded 'and. that hue a cor^S'derable
ol slop* A Imal numl>er. 2 or 3. snows that the soil ts eioded.
RfO?
BkCJ
CaB?
CcB2
CcC?
CcD
CcD?
CcE
CcF
CmB?
CmC2
CmC3
CmD
CmE
CnS?
CrtC?
CnC3
Cn02
CnF?
CdB2
CoC?
CoD?
CoE3
Cor
CfB
CrBi>
CfC2
CfO
Cu
Cv
CwA
CwB2
CwC?
c«c
C»E2
DkO
OkE
DmA
DmB?
DmC2
OnrtD3
Bentvola clay loam, 0 to 3 cwrcani tlope*
Banavota clay loam, 3 lo 8 parcani ilopat, moderately eroded
Bancvota clay loam, 8 lo IS parcent itopei, moda'alaly erodtd
Banevola clay loai
Barks channary loa
Btrhs channary loai
Berht channary loa
Barht channary loai
Barks ihaly sill loa
Berks ihaly lilt toai
Barks shaly Hit loai
Barks Shaly nil loam, \i lo 2b parci
Berks slK loam, ndfas, 0 lo 10 parci
lb parcani slopes, laoeraly eroded
ridgas, 0 lo 10 percent Slopes, moderately eroded
ridgai, 10 Id 20 parcani slopes, modaralaiy eroded
'idge*. 10 to 20 parcani ilopas, severely eroded
ridges, 20 lo 30 percent ilopes, moderately eroded
0 to B parcani slopes
1 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
8 lo \b percent slopes, moderately erodiid
slopes, moderalely eroded
slopes, moderalely eroded
rant slopes, moderalely eroded
slopes, severely eroded
tlopei
It, 3 lo 8 percent slopes, modtrataiv trodad
It. B lo 15 parcani slopes, modarattly eroded
It. 16 to 2!> percent slope*
Barks till loam, ndget. 20 to 10 D«r
Berks soils, ridges, 20 lo pnrcent
Berks toils, ridgei. 30 lo 60 percent
Braddock and Thurmont gravelly loar
Braddorh and ThurmonI gravelly loan
Braddork and ThurmonI gravelly loan
Brinkorlon sill loam, 0 to 8 percent ilopas
Buchanan gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent Hopes
Buchanan gravelly loam, 3 lo B percent slopes, moderately eroded
Buchenan gravelly loam, 8 to lb percent ilopes, moderalely eroded
Buchanan gravelly toam, 15 lo 2% pa'cani slopes, modaralaly eroded
Calvin chennery line sandy loam, 3 to 10 percont slopes, moderalely eroded
Calvin channery loam, 3 lo 10 percont slopes, moderately eroded
Calvin channary loam, 10 lo 20 percent tlopet. moderately eroded
Calvin rhennary loam, 20 lo 30 parceni tlopet
Calvin channeiy loam, 20 lo 30 perienl slopes, modaralely eroded
Calvin channary loam, 30 lo 4^ percent tlopet
Calvin channary loam, 4% lo 60 parrnnt tlopet
Calvin Ihaly loam. 0 lo 10 peicani ilopat, moderelely eroded
Cetvin shaly loam, 10 lo 20 perceni tlopet, moderalely eroded
Calvin shaly loam, 10 lo 20 percent tlopet, leverely eroded
Calvin shaly loam, 20 lo 30 percent tlopei
Calvin shaly loam, 30 lo M parcani slopes
Calvln-Berkt channary loams, 0 to 10 percent tlopei, moderalely erodld
Calvin Berht channeiy loamt, 10 lo 20 parcani ilopei. moderalely eroded
Calvln Berhi chennery toamt, 3 lo 20 paiceni etopet. severely eroded
Calvin Barhi channary loami, 20 lo 30 perceni slopes, moderalely eroded
Calvln'Barki channary loams. 30 lo 60 perceni tlopet. moderately eroded
Calvln Monlovallo ihaly loams, 0 to 10 perceni slopei, moderalely eroded
Calvln Monlevallo ihaly loami, 10 lo 20 parceni slopes, modaralaly eroded
Calvin-Monlavallo shaly loams, 20 lo 30 percent ilooei. moderately eroded
Celvin Monlevallo ihaly loamt, 20 lo 4*i percent slopes, severely eroded
Calvln Monlevallo thaly loamt, 30 lo 60 perceni tlopet
Chandler sill loam and chennery sill loam, 0 lo 10 percent slopei
Chandler sill loam and channary nil loam, 3 lo 10 percent ilopai, moderalely eroded
Chandler silt loam and channary sill loam. 10 lo 20 percent slopes, moderalely arodad
Chandler sill loam and chennery silt loam, 20 lo 30 percent tlopet
Chewacia gravelly sandy loam
Chawacia lilt loam
Chawaria stony nil loam
Congaroo silt loam and gravelly loam
Corydon clay loam, 0 lo 3 percent slopes
Corydon ciny loam, 3 to B percent slopes, moderalely eroded
Corydon clay loam, 8 lo lb percent slopei, moderelely eroded
Corydon oilremply rorky rley loam, 0 lo \b perceni slopes
Corvdon very rocky clay loam, 3 lo 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Dekalb and l eatonii
Dekalb and leelonii
Dekalb and Leetomi
Dekalb and Lehew t
slony sandy loamt. 0 lo 2b percent slopes
slony sandy looms, 2b to 4b percent slopes
slony sandy loams, Ab lo 60 perceni slopes
pry ilony loams, 0 to 2b percent i
Dehelb and Lehew very stony Ipems, 25 lo 45 percent Hop**
Dulliold nil loam, 0 to 3 peiceni slopes
Dufdald iill loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
Dullleld silt loam, 8 lo 15 parcani slopes, moderately eroded
Oullitid slit loam, 15 lo 25 parcani slopes, moderately eioded
Dutlield nil loam, 8 to ?S percent siopei, severely eroded
DuC
OvC
DvE?
OyB2
OyC2
Ot
CdC
Ed02
EdE?
EdF2
EhB2
Eh02
EhE2
EiA
El62
EIC2
EID2
EmA
E«B2
E<vC2
FaB
FeB2
FaC?
FaE2
FrE
FlA
FtB2
FiC2
FIC2
FuD
FuE
FvC2
FvC3
FvE?
FwA
FwB2
Fw63
FwC2
FwC3
FwD2
Fv>D3
Fv>E2
FwE3
FyB2
FyC2
FyC3
FyD2
FvD3
FyE2
HaB3
H8C2
HaC3
Ha02
H8D3
HbD?
HcO?
HdE
HeA
HeB?
NeC2
H*D2
HfA
M(B2
Ouff-eld eilremely rocky nil loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes
DuKieid very focky nit loam, 3 lo 15 percent tlooei
Du»-eid very rocky sill loam, 8 to 45 oerceni slopes, moderalely eroded
Ounmore cherty Silt loam, 3 10 8 percent slopes, moderelely eroded
Donmpra cheMy nit '0«m, 8 to 15 perceni slopes, moderately eroded
Dunning and Malvin silly day loams
EdgemonI and La-dig channary lo.
Edgamont and La<dig channary lo.
EdgemonI and La.d>g channary lo.
Edgemonl and Laidig cnannery lo.
EdgemonI and Laidig very Slony i'
Edgamont and Laidig very slony l<
EdgemonI and Laidig very slony li
EHiber cherty loam, 5 lo 12 c
t, 0 to 12 percent stooet
(. 5 to 20 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
I. 20 10 35 perceni slopes, moderately eroded
I. 35 to 60 percent slopes, moderately eroded
IS, 0 lo 5 perceni slopes
«. 5 lo 35 percent slopes
IS, 35 10 60 percent Hopes
slopes, moderately eroded
Elliber cherty loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
EHiber cherty loam, 25 10 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Elliber cherly loam, 45 lo 55 percent slopes
Eroded land, greentione maienali
Eroded land, limeslonc maienals
Eroded land, sandtione and quartiite materials
Eroded land, shale and sch.tl maienali
Etowah gravelly loam. 0 to 3 percent slopes
Elowah gravelly loam, 3 lo 8 perceni slopes, moderately eroded
Elowoh gravelly loam, 8 lo 15 percent slooes. moderalely eroded
Eiowah gravelly loam. 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
Elowah till loam, 0 10 3 percent slopes
Etowah Sill loam. 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
Elowah silt loam. 8 lo 15 perceni slopes, moderalely eroded
Fauquier channary loam. 0 lo 5 percent slopes
Fauquier chennery loam, 5 to 10 percent slooes. moderately eroded
Fauqu<er chennery loam, 10 lo 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Fauquier channery loam. 20 to 35 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
Fauquier very stony loam, 5 lo 35 percent slopes
Fauquier nil loam, 0 lo 3 percent slopes
Fauquier S'U loam, 3 lo 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Fauquier sill loam, 10 lo 20 per
Fauquier sill loam, shallow, 3 to
Frankstown enlremtly rocky siil I
;ent slopes, moderalely coded
20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
)am, 0 to 25 percent slopes
jam. 25 to 45 percent slooes
3 lo 15 perceni slopes, moderately eroded
slopes, severely eroded
ceni slopes, moderately eroded
0 to 3 percent slopes
3 10 8 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
0 lo 8 percent slooes, severely eroded
I 15 oercer
Frankstown very rocky silt loam, 3 I
Frankstown vary rocky nit loam. 8 t
Frankstown very rocky till loam. 15
Frankstown and OuHield channery s
Frankstown and Dullield Channery s
Frankstown and Dulfield channery s
Frankstown end Dul'iald channery siH loams. 8 lo 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Frankstown and Duffietd channery siH loams. 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Frankstown and DuM<eld channery silt loams. 15 to 25 percent slooes, moderately eroded
Frankstown and Oulfield channary silt loams. 15 to 25 oerceni slooes, severeiv eroded
Frankstown and Dullield channery sill loams, 25 to 45 perceni slopes, moderately eroded
Frankstown and OuHield channery silt loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes, severely eroded
Frederick cherly silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Frederick cherty sill loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Frederick cherty sill loam. 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Frederick cherty siH loam. 15 lo 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Frederick cherty silt loam, 15 lo 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
Frederick cherty nl| loam, 25 to 45 oerceni slopes, moderately eroded
Hagarslown clay loam. 0 to 3 percent slopes
Hageritown clay loam, 0 lo 8 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
Hagerstown clay loam. 3 to B percent slopes, severely eroded
Hagerstown day loam. 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown clay loam. 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Hagerstown clay loam. 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown clay loam, 15 lo 25 percent slooes, severely eroded
Megerstown emremely rocky Silt loam. 0 lo 25 percent slooes. moderately eroded
Hagerstown eilrcmaly rocky silty clay loam. 0 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown eitremely rocky soili, 25 to 45 percent slopes
Hagerstown sitl loam, 0 lo 3 percent slopes
Hagerstown sill loam, 0 to 8 perceni slooes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown nil loam, 8 lo 15 percent slooes. moderately eroded
Higenlown silt loam. 15 to 25 percent slooes, moderately eroded
Hagerstown silly clay loam. 0 to 3 percent slooes
Hagarilowin nity clay loam. 0 lo 8 percent slooes. moderately eroded
NIC 2
HfD2
HgC2
HgE2
HhC2
HhC3
HhE2
HkF
HIA
HmE2
Hn62
HnC2
HnC3
Hn02
Hn03
HnE
HoB
HoB2
HoC2
HoE2
HpB
HpD
HpE
HrB2
LaB2
LaC2
LaD2
LbO
LbE2
LcB2
LcD2
Le
LgA
LoB2
LoC2
LoC3
LsB
Ls82
LsC2
LsC3
Ls02
LsD3
LsE2
LsE3
HC2
Lie 3
LID?
L1D3
LtE2
Me
Mg82
MgC2
Hagerstown silly c'ay loai
Hagerstowr> S'lty clay loai
Hagerstown very rocky n
Hagerstown very rocky si
Hagerstowi
Hagerslowi
Hagerstown very rock'
Hegersiown very rock
Hagerstown, Corydon.
Hagerstown and Oufli
to 15 perceni slopes, moderately eroded
I to 25 percent slooes. moderately eroded
•n. 3 10 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
■n, 15 lo 45 oerceni slopes, moderalely eroded
.Illy Clay I.
15 lo 45 £
ended
!verely eroded
moderately o-oded
id Dutfield very rocky siH loams. 0 to 3 percent sloors
silt loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately ero-lcd
. 0 10 10 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
I. 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded
, 20 lo 30 oerceni slopes, moderately eroded
, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded
. 30 to 45 oerceni slooes
H.ghfield very slo
Highfield very sto
Holston gravelly I
Holslon gravelly I
Holston gravelly I
Holslon gravelly (
Holstor^ gravelly I
Holston gravelly I
Holston gravelly •
Holston gravelly ■
Holslon gravelly s
I 10 C
( loam. 5 10 30 c
. 8 10 25 (
lopes.
ent slopes, m
:ent slopes
rcent slopes
ercent slopes
oderalely eroded
moderately eroded
Tioderalely eroded
moderalely eroded
, 25 I
45 C
Hol
,ilt I
Holston silt loam.
Holslon silt loam,
Huntington fine sa
Huntington gravellt
Huntington silt loa
Huntington silt loa
Laidig gravelly loar
^andy loam. 3 to 8 oerceni slopes
sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slooes. modetale
;andy loam. 8 lo 15 percent slopes, severely (
. 0 to 3 percent slopes
. 3 to 8 percent Slopes, moderately eroded
, 8 lo 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
dig gri
elly I.
3 to e perce
8 10 15 oerc
15 to 25 per
Laidig gravelly loam,
Laidig gravelly loam,
Laidig very stony loai
Laidig very stony loai
Landisburg cherty sil
Landisburg cherty sil
Largeni sill loam
Leadvale gravelly silt loam, 0
Leadvale gravelly siit loam, 3
. 3
ilopes, moderately eroded
slopes, moderately eroded
ercent slooes. moderately eroded
1 percent sloprs, moderalely eroded
I 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
I 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
'rcent slopes, moderalely eroded
lerceni slopes, moderalely eroded
letcent slopes, severely eroded
i%. moderately eroded
1 20 percent slopes.
Lili-Teas chai
lery sill I
moderalely eroded
, moderalely eroded
, moderalely eroded
Melvin sill loam
Monongahela gravelly loam. 3 lo 8 percent slopes, moder
Monongahels gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, mode
Monongahela siU loam. 0 to 3 percent slopes
MhB2
MhC2
Mh02
MmB2
MmC2
MmC3
MmD2
MmD3
MoA
MoB2
MoC2
MoD2
MoD3
MoE2
MrB
MrC2
MrC3
Mr02
MrD3
MsA
MsB2
MsC2
MvA
MvB2
MvC2
MvD2
MvE2
MwB3
Mw03
MnA
M)iB2
M»C2
MyE2
MyF2
Monongaheli
Monongahel.
Monongahela silt loa
Montevalio shaiy loai
Monlevallo Shaly loai
Monteva
Monieva
TaC2
TaC3
TaD
TaE2
TrC2
TyB
Wa
WbA
WbB?
WbC?
WbC3
Wb02
WbD3
WbE2
WgB
WgC2
WgC3
WgD2
Wh
WmB2
WmC2
WmC3
WmD2
Wm03
Mur'ill gravelly loai
Murrill gravelly loai
Murrill gravelly loai
Murrill gravelly loai
Murrill gravelly loam. 25
Murrill gravelly sandy loar
Murrill gravelly sandy loai
Murrill gravelly sandy loai
Murrill gravelly sandy loai
Murrill gravelly sandy loai
Mui
lit 1.
ham
Murrill nil loarr
Murrill silt loam
Myersville chani
Myersvilti
Myersvilli
Myersvilli
MyersviMi
Myersville ch,
Myersville ch
Myei
lit loam, 3 10 8 percent slopes, moderately aroded
ill loam. 8 lo 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
ill loam 15 to 25 perceni slooes, moderately eroded
, 0 to 10 percent Slopes, moderately eroded
I. 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded
I, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely erodtd
. 20 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded
I, 20 to 30 perceni slopes, severely eroded
0 10 3 percent slopes
0 lo 8 oerceni slopes, moderately eroded
8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
15 to 25 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
8 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
25 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded
0 to 8 percent slopes
3 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
15 to 25 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
indy loam. 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
0 to 3 percent slopes
0 lo 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
8 to 15 oerceni slopes, moderately eroded
ry loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
inery loam
y loam
10 10 20
mery
ry loam, 20 to 30 perce
ry loam. 30 to 45 perce
(v nit loam. 3 lo 10 P«i
It loam, 10 to 30 p
10 percent slooes. moderately eroded
slopes, moderately eroded
slooes. moderately eroded
slopes, moderately eroded
nt slopes, severely eroded
ent slopes, severely eroded
Myersville
Myeisvilie
Myersville very stony loai
Philo gravelly sandy loan
Philo silt loam
Pope line sandy loam
Pope gravelly loam
Pope gravelly sandy loin
Pope silt loam
Pope stony gravelly loam
Stony rolling land
Stony steep land
Talladega gravelly sill loam
Talladega gravelly silt loam
Talladega gravelly silt loam
Talladega gravelly silt loam
ThurmonI gravelly loam. 3
ThurmonI gravelly loam, 8
Trego gravelly silt loam. 0
Trego gravelly
, 0 to 3 percent slopes
, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
. 10 to 20 oerceni slopes, moderately eroded
ml slopes, moderalely
ianl. 0 to 20 percent slopes, moderalely arodad
iani, 10 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded
lanl. 20 to 30 percent slopes
lanl. 20 (0 45 percent slopes
iod«ralely eroded
. 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderelely eroded
, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
, 0 to 3 oerceni slopes
, 3 to 15 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
Tyler nit loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
m. 0 I
Waynesborc
Waynesboro
Waynesboro
Wayr
Iborc
cent slopes
. 0 to 3 perce
, 0 to 8 perc«
, 8 lo 15 pert
, 3 to 15 oerc
n slopes
M slopes, moderalely eroded
tnt slopes, moderalely eroded
int slopes, severely eroded
, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
, 15 lo 25 percent slopes, severuly eroded
. 25 to 45 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
y loam. 0 lo 8 percent slooes
/ loam. 3 to 15 percent slooes. moderately eroded
y loam. 8 to 15 perceni slopes, severely eroded
/ loam, 15 lo 25 perceni slopes, moderately eroded
Waynesboro gravelly I
Waynesboro gravelly I
Waynesboro gravelly I
Waynesboro gravelly ;
Waynesboro gravelly s
Waynesboro gravelly j
Waynesboro gravelly !
Wehadkee sill loam
Westmoreland channery silt loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
Westmoreland channery sill loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, moderalely eroded
Westmoreland channery silt loam. 3 to 20 percent slooas, severely eroded
Wesimoreland channery nil loam, 20 to 30 perceni slooes. moderately eroded
Westmoreland channery nit loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded
Soil map constructed 1961 by Cartographic Division,
Soil Conservation Service, USDA. Irom 195? aenal
photographs, ControHad mosaic based on Maryland
olane coordinate sytlam, Lambert conformal
conic projection. 1927 North American datum.
I \
i
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